And just as we may have surmised, Apple announced its budget iPhone via press release this morning. Say hello to the iPhone 17e, the company’s newest $600 smartphone. It maintains the same price point as its predecessor but adds noteworthy upgrades—but not a second camera sensor in case you were wondering.
The most notable upgrades are the addition of MagSafe support, as it charges at Qi2 speeds of 15W; double the base storage, as it starts at 256GB; a tougher screen, as it’s armed with the company’s Ceramic Shield 2 for less glare and improved scratch resistance; it’s powered by the same A19 chip from the iPhone 17; it runs iOS 26; and lastly, it’s equipped with Apple’s C1X cellular modem for faster connectivity (2x the speeds) than the 16e.
Outside of the mentioned upgrades, it retains its 6.1-inch OLED screen with up to 1,200 nits of peak brightness, an IP68 dust and water-resistance body, a single 48MP Fusion camera capable of 2x telephoto zoom, and supports Emergency SOS via satellite and Roadside Assistance.
This means Apple’s event on the 4th will focus on the budget MacBook and offer hands-on experience with the company’s new products for those attending in person. And speaking of March 4th, this is when pre-orders for the iPhone 17e will begin; it will arrive in black, white, and pink color options, and it will go on sale on March 11.
