Apple unveiled the iphone 17e, its newest entry level smartphone, bringing several notable upgrades to the lower end of its lineup, Emma Roth reports.
The device starts at $599 for a 256GB model and Apple will also offer a 512GB option for $799, according to Emma Roth.
The iphone 17e keeps a 6.1-inch display but introduces Ceramic Shield 2 for the front glass, which the company says improves scratch resistance and reduces glare.
Apple equipped the phone with its A19 processor and added MagSafe charging with Qi2 support, enabling wireless charging at up to 15W, Emma Roth reports.
How The 17E Compares And What It Means For Buyers
The phone includes a C1X modem, which Apple says is up to twice as fast as the prior C1 modem used in the previous entry model.
Camera upgrades include a 48-megapixel fusion sensor capable of an optical-quality 2x telephoto and support for Apple’s next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control, which recognizes people, dogs and cats and stores depth information for post-capture blur and focus adjustment.
Apple retained several core specs from the previous generation, keeping 5G sub-6 GHz with 4x4 MIMO, Wi‑Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, while promising unchanged battery performance with up to 26 hours of video playback and fast-charge claims of 50 percent in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher.
The company also made small physical changes. Apple lists a modest weight increase to 169 grams from the prior model’s 167 grams, and it added a soft pink color alongside black and white finishes.
Compared to the prior entry model, the 17E doubles the base storage and adds MagSafe, which reviewers say improves value for buyers seeking Apple’s more affordable handset. Emma Roth notes Apple is also working on a more personalized Siri powered by Google’s Gemini AI, though Bloomberg reporting suggests those features may arrive later than initially promised.
