The iPhone 17e is expected to debut this week as Apple’s new “low-cost” iPhone. It will succeed the iPhone 16e, which launched around the same time last year. There’s no official word yet, but rumours suggest we may see the iPhone 17e debut on February 19th. It would be a quiet launch with just a press announcement and no event. Still, the iPhone 17e is an interesting device to look forward to, especially in terms of upgrades from the iPhone 16e.
If you’ve been thinking about the iPhone 17e and what to expect from the device, here’s everything to catch you up to speed.
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Apple’s low-cost ‘e’ series
The iPhone 17e would be the second model in Apple’s newer “e” lineup, introduced last year with the iPhone 16e. While this isn’t Apple’s first attempt at a more accessible iPhone, the company has been exploring this space since the iPhone SE debuted in 2020, following the earlier iPhone 5c. The branding may have evolved, but the strategy remains similar: offering an iPhone experience in a non-flagship segment, with some specifications scaled back to hit a lower price point.
That said, the iPhone 17e still wouldn’t qualify as truly affordable, especially in a price-sensitive market like India. For reference, the iPhone 16e launched at Rs 59,999, which is far from budget territory, but still notably cheaper than the iPhone 16, which started at Rs 79,900.
If Apple sticks to similar pricing, the iPhone 17e would once again land in the sub-flagship category, targeting buyers who want an iPhone without stepping into full flagship pricing.
Dynamic Island, finally!
The iPhone 17e will be closer to the newer iPhones as it adopts Dynamic Island. This is heavily rumoured for the iPhone 17e as Apple does away with the older notch design. This will give the iPhone 17e a more updated look and more interactive features, too. The iPhone 16e launched with the notch design, which makes it look dated and lacking in terms of the latest iOS features.
All leaks and rumours point to a Dynamic Island on the iPhone 17e, with the rest of the design similar to the iPhone 16e. This means we’ll still get a single rear camera with the power button on the right side, volume keys on the left and the Action button as well. Another change might be a new purple colour for the iPhone 17e in addition to the white and black options. This would make the iPhone 17e more appealing to buyers.
Flagship-level performance
The iPhone 17e is expected to be powered by the A19 chip, which also powers the flagship iPhone 17. This means that the iPhone 17e will offer a similar level of performance as that of the 17, which costs Rs 82,900. The iPhone 17 may not have the best benchmark scores against Android rivals, but it offers a decent level of power enough for regular to moderate usage. With the A19 chip, the iPhone 17e would also be better equipped to handle Apple Intelligence features.
MagSafe wireless charging may be coming too
The iPhone 16e lacked MagSafe wireless charging, which is a key feature, especially for all new iPhones. Apple might add MagSafe support to the iPhone 17e, bringing the magnetic accessory ecosystem to the “e” lineup as well. If that happens, it would make the iPhone 17e feel closer to the flagship experience, even while keeping some hardware compromises to maintain its sub-flagship positioning. Apple is pretty big on accessories, and MagSafe is not only popular but also helps with quickly charging up the phone. So this feature might make the iPhone 17e a more appealing option to buyers.
What else is changing and staying the same
The iPhone 17e is also rumoured to feature the latest C1X cellular modem chip as well as the N1 chip for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Thread connectivity. This would mean better connectivity support on the iPhone 17e. Some things will remain the same, like a 6.1-inch display with a 60Hz refresh rate, but with Dynamic Island. Apple might also use the same 48MP Fusion camera on the iPhone 17e, which lets you take 24MP and 48MP photos, Portrait mode with Depth Control, Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps, and Photographic Styles.
No price change for the iPhone 17e
With all the new phones launching at higher prices and even existing models getting price hikes, the iPhone 17e might have some good news with no change in prices. The iPhone 17e is rumoured to launch at the same starting price as the iPhone 16e, which is $699. This means that the iPhone 17e could cost the same price in India too, which would be Rs 59,900.
If the iPhone 17e launches this week, it will hit the shelves very soon. For buyers, the iPhone 17e makes sense as a more reasonably priced iPhone that gives you an overall balanced performance and the familiar iOS experience. Those who want more like versatile cameras and a better display may want to check out more expensive options.
