iPhone
iPhone 17e
Apple's lowest-priced current-generation iPhone, now $699 after a $100 price rise.
A newer model, the iPhone 18e, is expected spring 2027. Apple has also raised its price by $100 since launch.
At a glance
Our take
The 17e is eight months into a roughly one-year cycle, and an iPhone 18e is expected in spring 2027. Its price also went up $100 in September.
It has a 60Hz screen and Wi-Fi 6, a step down from the iPhone 17. Compare it with the $799 iPhone 16, which has two cameras and a newer Wi-Fi standard but an older chip.
Research-based: we haven't tested this model ourselves. It's built from Apple's specs, published tests and owner reports.
Pros & cons
What's good
- Lowest-priced current-generation iPhone
- A19 chip
- 256GB base storage
- MagSafe support
What's not
- 60Hz screen
- Single rear camera
- Wi-Fi 6 only
- Price went up $100 to $699
Budget buyers who want a new iPhone with long software support
You want a smooth 120Hz screen or a second camera
Prices
| Model (Apple, US) | Price |
|---|---|
| 256GB | $699 |
| 512GB | $899 |
Prices checked Nov 12, 2026. They can change at any time. How we get prices.
Ways to pay less
Key specs
See all 45 specifications
| AppleiPhone 17e | |
|---|---|
| Buying | |
| Apple price from | $699 |
| Buy-now score | 62/100 (Good time) |
| Released | Mar 11, 2026 |
| Launch | |
| Announced | Mar 2, 2026 |
| Released | Mar 11, 2026 |
| Status | Available |
| Body | |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.80 mm |
| Weight | 169 g |
| Build | Ceramic Shield 2 front, glass back (matte), aluminum frame |
| SIM | Dual eSIM (2 active, stores 8+); no physical SIM (US model) |
| Water/dust | IP68 (6 m for 30 min, IEC 60529) |
| Display | |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, notch (no Dynamic Island) (reported), HDR, True Tone, P3, 2,000,000:1 contrast; no Always-On (reported) |
| Size | 6.1 in (6.06 in as a rectangle) |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 px, 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz (reported); Apple does not list a refresh rate |
| Brightness | 800 nits typical, 1200 nits HDR peak; outdoor peak Not published |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield 2, anti-reflective and oleophobic coatings |
| Platform | |
| OS | Ships with iOS 26 / current iOS 27 |
| Chip | Apple A19 |
| CPU | 6-core (2 performance + 4 efficiency) |
| GPU | 4-core with Neural Accelerators, hardware ray tracing |
| Neural engine | 16-core Neural Engine |
| Memory | |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB |
| RAM | 8GB (reported) |
| Main camera | |
| Lenses | 48MP Fusion Main, 26 mm, f/1.6, OIS; optical-quality 2x Telephoto (12MP, 52 mm crop from Main). Up to 10x digital. No ultra wide |
| Features | True Tone flash, Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 5, Night mode, Portraits, Photographic Styles, 63MP panorama |
| Video | 4K Dolby Vision 24/25/30/60 fps; 1080p slo-mo 120/240 fps; HEVC/H.264 (no Cinematic or Action mode listed) |
| Selfie camera | |
| Lens | 12MP TrueDepth, f/1.9, autofocus (Face ID) |
| Video | 4K Dolby Vision 24/25/30/60 fps; 1080p120 slo-mo |
| Sound | |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers; Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos playback |
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Cellular | Apple C1X modem: 5G sub-6 GHz only (no mmWave), 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; model A3575 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 2x2 MIMO |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou, NavIC (dual-frequency not listed) |
| NFC | Yes, reader mode, Express Cards with power reserve |
| UWB | No (reported) |
| Satellite | Emergency SOS, Messages, Find My and Roadside Assistance via satellite |
| USB | USB-C, USB 2 (480Mb/s) |
| Features | |
| Biometrics | Face ID |
| Sensors | Barometer, high dynamic range gyro, high-g accelerometer, proximity, dual ambient light, magnetometer |
| Other | Action button; no Camera Control; Crash Detection |
| Battery | |
| Capacity | 4,005 mAh (reported) |
| Video playback | Up to 26 h (21 h streamed) |
| Wired charging | 50% in 30 min with 20W+ adapter (Apple); peak wattage Not published |
| Wireless | MagSafe up to 15W, Qi2 up to 15W |
| Misc | |
| Colours | Black, White, Soft Pink |
| US price | 256GB $699; 512GB $899 (raised from $599 launch price on 2026-09-09) |
How it compares
| This pageiPhone 17e | iPhone 16 | iPhone 17 | iPhone Air | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $699 | $799 | $899 | $1,099 |
| Verdict | Okay to buy | Wait if you can | Wait if you can | Wait if you can |
| Chip | A19 (4-core GPU) | A18 | A19 | A19 Pro |
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED, 60Hz | 6.1-inch OLED, 60Hz | 6.3-inch OLED, ProMotion 120Hz | 6.5-inch OLED, ProMotion 120Hz |
| Rear cameras | 48MP Main (single camera) | 48MP Main + 12MP Ultra Wide | 48MP Main + 48MP Ultra Wide | 48MP Main (single camera) |
| Battery | Up to 26 h video playback | Up to 22 h video playback | Up to 30 h video playback | Up to 27 h video (40 h with MagSafe Battery) |
| Storage | 256GB or 512GB | 128GB only | 256GB or 512GB | 256GB to 1TB |
More comparisons
What's next?
iPhone 18e
Expected spring 2027 · high confidence
The next budget iPhone is expected in spring 2027 with the A20 chip and Apple's C2 modem. Leakers disagree on screen size.
Every claim, with sources →How we worked out "Okay to buy"
Latest news
Software
iOS 27.2.1, macOS Golden Gate 27.2.1 and watchOS 27.2.1 released
Apple shipped 27.2.1 updates for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Vision Pro, plus security updates for older devices (iPadOS 26.7.3 and iOS 18.7.12). The release focuses on bug and security fixes, so every owner should install it.
Products
Source: Apple Developer
PricesApple raises older iPhone prices by $100Alongside the new lineup, iPhone 16 rose to $799, iPhone 17e to $699, iPhone 17 to $899 and iPhone Air to $1,099. Older models usually get cheaper after a launch, so check carrier and refurbished deals before paying the new list price.
Prices
Apple raises older iPhone prices by $100
Alongside the new lineup, iPhone 16 rose to $799, iPhone 17e to $699, iPhone 17 to $899 and iPhone Air to $1,099. Older models usually get cheaper after a launch, so check carrier and refurbished deals before paying the new list price.
Products
Source: MacRumors
ServicesApple Upgrade leasing replaces the iPhone Upgrade Program in the USApple Upgrade, run with Klarna, leases iPhone from $17.99/month plus Apple Watch, Mac and iPad, with options to upgrade, buy out or return at the end. Leases need a soft credit check, and early termination can be costly. Some models, such as iPhone 16 and MacBook Neo, were not eligible at launch.
Services
Apple Upgrade leasing replaces the iPhone Upgrade Program in the US
Apple Upgrade, run with Klarna, leases iPhone from $17.99/month plus Apple Watch, Mac and iPad, with options to upgrade, buy out or return at the end. Leases need a soft credit check, and early termination can be costly. Some models, such as iPhone 16 and MacBook Neo, were not eligible at launch.
Products
Source: Apple Newsroom
EventWWDC26: Apple previews iOS 27, Siri AI and macOS 27Apple's keynote introduced Siri AI, deeper Apple Intelligence, new parental controls and big speed gains across iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, visionOS 27 and tvOS 27. Developer betas started the same day. Siri AI needs iPhone 15 Pro or newer, which matters if you are buying an older model.Event
WWDC26: Apple previews iOS 27, Siri AI and macOS 27
Apple's keynote introduced Siri AI, deeper Apple Intelligence, new parental controls and big speed gains across iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, visionOS 27 and tvOS 27. Developer betas started the same day. Siri AI needs iPhone 15 Pro or newer, which matters if you are buying an older model.
Products
Source: Apple Newsroom
Questions people ask
Should I buy the iPhone 17e now?
Okay to buy. A newer model, the iPhone 18e, is expected spring 2027. Apple has also raised its price by $100 since launch.
How much does the iPhone 17e cost?
Apple sells it from $699 in the US (256GB: $699, 512GB: $899). It launched at $599, so Apple has raised the price since.
When will the iPhone 17e be replaced?
The iPhone 18e is expected spring 2027, according to reports we rate high confidence. Apple hasn't announced it.
Who is the iPhone 17e best for?
Budget buyers who want a new iPhone with long software support. Skip it if you want a smooth 120Hz screen or a second camera.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 17e tech specs (checked Nov 12, 2026)
- Apple Newsroom: Apple introduces iPhone 17e (checked Nov 12, 2026)
- Apple Store: buy iPhone 17e (checked Nov 12, 2026)
- MacRumors: iPhone 17e smaller details (battery) (checked Nov 12, 2026)
- MacRumors: iPhone 17e has 8GB of RAM (checked Nov 12, 2026)
- MacRumors: iPhone 17e roundup (60Hz, notch, no UWB) (checked Nov 12, 2026)
Page updated Nov 12, 2026 · Spotted an error? Tell us.