Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 17e, positioning it as a value-packed entry point to the iPhone 17 lineup. Starting at $599 or $24.95 per month for 24 months, the device brings several flagship features to a more accessible price point.

Pre-orders begin March 4 at 6:15 a.m. Pacific Time, with availability starting March 11.

What's Inside

The iPhone 17e runs on the A19 chip—the same generation powering the flagship iPhone 17 models—paired with a C1X modem that Apple claims is up to 2x faster than the C1 in iPhone 16e. Battery life is rated at up to 26 hours of video playback, with 50 percent charge in 30 minutes using a 20W adapter.

Storage starts at 256GB, double the iPhone 16e base and four times the iPhone 12's entry level.

Camera and Display

The 48MP Fusion camera system supports 2x optical-quality zoom, next-generation portraits with adjustable focus and background blur after the shot, and 4K video. Low-light performance and Night mode are included.

The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display features a seven-layer antireflective coating to reduce glare. Face ID handles authentication.

Design and Durability

Ceramic Shield 2 on the front provides three times better scratch resistance than iPhone 16e, according to Apple. The aluminum frame houses MagSafe for wireless charging up to 15W—double the 7.5W of iPhone 16e—and supports the full ecosystem of MagSafe accessories.

The customizable Action button makes its debut on the 17e, allowing quick access to Silent mode, Translation, visual intelligence, and other functions.

Colors include black, white, and a new soft pink.

Software and Connectivity

iOS 26 ships with Apple Intelligence features including Clean Up for photo editing, Live Translation in Messages and FaceTime, and visual intelligence for screen-based actions. Call Screening automatically handles unknown callers.

Satellite connectivity supports Messages via satellite, Emergency SOS, and Roadside Assistance when cellular is unavailable. Crash Detection is included. The device uses eSIM only, with no physical SIM tray.

Trade-In and Carrier Deals

Apple Trade In offers up to $350 for eligible Android smartphones. Carrier promotions from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon provide bill credits ranging from $300 to $799 depending on plan and trade-in device.

Apple Card Monthly Installments are available with 0% APR for 24 months, requiring activation on AT&T, Boost Mobile, T-Mobile, or Verizon.

The iPhone 17e effectively replaces the iPhone 16e as Apple's budget offering, but with fewer compromises than previous generations. The A19 chip, 48MP camera, MagSafe, and 256GB base storage suggest Apple is narrowing the gap between its flagship and entry-level devices—while keeping the price at $599.