Today, Apple revaled they'll be keeping their new "e" series lineup introduced last spring after showing off the brand new iPhone 17e
If you've got an "old" iPhone and are starting to feel like you're missing features, or been dealing with a cracked screen too long, this phone may be just the nudge you need to get better features at a relatively low price.
Generally the "Pro" models usually get all the hype, the "e" model is designed for the "regular" people or people who don't care too much about the bells and whistles of smartphoen upgrade cycles. The 17e seems desinged for anyone who wants a reliable phone that takes good photos without a four-figure price tag.
More Room for Your Memories
With a typcial budget phone, an easy place to cut price (and useability) is by slashing storage. With the iPhone 17e, you shouldn't be seeing that dreaded "Storage Full" notification for a long, long time. Apple made 256GB the new standard a generous and meaningful amount of storage for people who won't take on a monthly cloud subscription or prefer to keep their pictures right on their phone.
Even if you're taking lots of of high-resolution photos, 4K videos, and downloading lots of mobile games, you'll be able to enjoy these things without having to play the "which app should I delete?" game every week.
The A19 Chip: Pro Power in Your Pocket
At the core of the iPhone 17e is the A19 chip. Even though this is the more "affordable" model, it's using Apple's latest brain.
- Blazing Speed: If your current phone feels like it's "thinking" too hard when you open an app, this will feel like an instant response. You'll notice a massive difference if you're upgrading from an "old" iPhone (12 or earlier).
- Console-Quality Gaming: This chip allows the phone to run high-end games with "ray tracing." In simple terms, this makes lighting and reflections in games look almost as good as what you'd see on a PlayStation or Xbox.
- Smarter AI: The chip is optimized for "Apple Intelligence," helping the phone handle tasks like live translation and photo editing (like removing a stranger from the background of your vacation shot) right on the device.
A Camera That Does Double Duty
There's "only" one camera on the back of the phone, but don't worry. You won't feel limited. The iPhone 17e features a 48MP Fusion camera. While it looks like one lens, Apple is using some clever tech to make it act like two.
- 2x Telephoto Zoom: The phone uses the middle of the large sensor to give you a "zoom" that doesn't lose quality. It's like having a dedicated zoom lens without the extra bulk. This isn't going to be enough to zoom in from the nosebleeds at a concert and see the singers' eyelashes, but it is going to be perfectly fine for everyday photo needs.
- Next-Gen Portraits: The phone now automatically recognizes people, dogs, and cats. Even if you didn't take the photo in "Portrait Mode," you can go back into your gallery later and blur the background to make it look professional.
- 4K Dolby Vision: Your home movies will look like cinema quality, with better colors and smoother movement.
Built to Survive Your Daily Life
We've all had that heart-stopping moment when a phone slips out of our hand and introduces itself to a concrete sidewalk. Apple has upgraded the durability here with Ceramic Shield 2.
- Better Scratch Resistance: This new front cover is three times more resistant to scratches than the last generation.
- Reduced Glare: If you've ever struggled to read your screen at a sunny park, the new coating helps cut down reflections so you can actually see what's on your display.
In our testing of the iPhone 16e last year, durability was never a concern. In fact, the phone experience was so good, I felt no urgency to switch back to my iPhone 16 Pro after my testing period with the 16e was done.
Connectivity and Safety
The iPhone 17e also includes the C1X modem, which is Apple-speak for "better internet." It's twice as fast for cellular data than the previous 16e model, but it actually uses 30 percent less battery to stay connected.
And for those "just in case" moments, you get Apple's satellite features. If you're hiking or stuck somewhere without a signal, you can still send emergency texts or share your location via satellite. It's a massive peace-of-mind feature that we hope you never have to use, but you'll be glad it's there.
Price and Availability
The iPhone 17e comes in three colors: Black, White, and a stunning new Soft Pink.
- Starting Price: $899 (CAD) for 256GB.
- Pre-orders: Begin Wednesday, March 4.
- Available in stores: Wednesday, March 11.
It also features the Action Button (which you can program to turn on your flashlight or open your camera instantly) and supports MagSafe for easy magnetic charging and accessories.
Is 256GB of storage enough to make you finally upgrade your old iPhone? What color are you leaning towards?
I'd love to hear your thoughts! Drop a comment below or send me a message on Instagram @drewkozub.
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