Apple's new iPhone 17e has an A19 chip, MagSafe, and 256GB of storage for $599
The new budget iPhone gets flagship silicon, double the base storage, and finally adds MagSafe charging.
Apple has unveiled the iPhone 17e, its latest budget-friendly smartphone, marking the company's second consecutive year with a March iPhone launch. Priced starting at $599, the device replaces last year's iPhone 16e and will be available for pre-order on March 4, shipping on March 11. The announcement is part of a series of product refreshes leading up to a special event, which also included a new iPad Air with an M4 chip. The 17e is positioned as a more capable entry point into the Apple ecosystem, closing several key gaps that existed in its predecessor.
The iPhone 17e's most significant upgrades include the inclusion of the flagship A19 chip (with six CPU cores but four GPU cores), 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence, and a base storage configuration of 256GB—a major jump from the 128GB in the iPhone 16e. It finally adds MagSafe charging support, a notable omission in the previous model, and features a more scratch-resistant Ceramic Shield 2 display. However, it retains a 6.1-inch 60Hz OLED display with a notch (not Dynamic Island) and a single 48MP rear camera. While it faces stiff competition from the $200-more-expensive iPhone 17, which offers a superior camera system and ProMotion display, the 17e's new chip and doubled storage make it a more compelling value proposition than the older iPhone 16.
- Features the same A19 chip as the flagship iPhone 17, with 6 CPU cores and 4 GPU cores for Apple Intelligence support.
- Base storage doubles to 256GB for the $599 model, and MagSafe charging is added—both were major criticisms of the iPhone 16e.
- Available for pre-order March 4, launching March 11 in black, white, and pastel pink, as part of Apple's pre-event product rollout.
Why It Matters
It redefines the value proposition for Apple's budget iPhone, offering flagship performance and practical features at a significantly lower price point.