The iPhone 17e, released in March 2026 to replace the iPhone 16e, is Apple’s most affordable smartphone. It packs many of the regular iPhone’s most compelling features, with only a few compromises.
The “e” phones, which supplanted the budget-oriented iPhone SE, stick to a new design strategy. Rather than moderately updated versions of older iPhones, the iPhone 17e (and the iPhone 16e before it) is based on the iPhone 16, with some features removed.
This year’s budget iPhone comes with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, a 48MP Fusion camera system and an Apple A19 chip with a 4‑core GPU with Neural Accelerators.
Like other current iPhones, it runs on iOS 26 and supports Apple Intelligence and Face ID. It comes with MagSafe (a welcome addition not found in the iPhone 16e), an Action button and a USB-C port, but no Camera Control.
It supports Wi‑Fi as well as 5G cellular connectivity (via an eSIM). Apple says it offers up to 26 hours of video playback.
Available in black, white or a new soft pink color, it starts at $599 for the model with 256GB of storage. Opting for 512GB hikes the price to $799.
New data shows how Apple’s iPhone bucks a US smartphone sales slump. Apple grew U.S. iPhone sales by 1.3% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2026, even as the broader American smartphone market contracted sharply, according to a new report.
For iPhone owners and fans of the Apple ecosystem, the numbers paint a picture of a brand that continues to tighten its grip on the U.S. market despite a challenging environment for the industry as a whole.
This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: The surprise release of AirPods Max 2 gives us plenty to talk about (including all the things Apple didn’t fix about the high-end headphones).
Plus, special guest Christina Warren (developer advocate at GitHub and co-host of the MacBreak Weekly podcast) joins us for a deep dive into one of Leander’s favorite topics — OpenClaw, the open-source AI agent that’s got everyone snapping up Mac minis, and the rise of agentic coding.
Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:
Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video version, embedded below.
Apple’s budget-oriented iPhone 17e packs a faster processor and more base storage — at a lower price — than the iPhone 16. But despite launching more than a year earlier, the iPhone 16 still holds an edge in several important aspects.
Here’s how the two affordable iPhones compare — and which one you should buy.
As with any other new Apple product, the iFixit team has given the iPhone 17e a teardown treatment. The most interesting takeaway?
You can add MagSafe support to your iPhone 16e using the iPhone 17e’s back panel.
★★★★☆
The iPhone 17e may be a subtle upgrade, but it’s a slight change that makes all the difference. Now with MagSafe, the budget smartphone doesn’t suffer much in the way of compromises. Storage capacity is doubled, making the base model an exceptional choice; the blistering A19 chip is even faster than its predecessor.
Although the lack of a Dynamic Island makes it feel like an older phone than it really is, unless you really care about photography or giant screens, there’s not a lot that seems missing. It’s just as gorgeous as before and still highly practical.
Here’s my full review.
This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: Griffin goes on a buying spree, snapping up a Studio Display XDR, an iPhone 17e and not one but two MacBook Neos. He shares his hands-on experience with the latest Apple gear, and Leander’s got plenty of questions!
Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:
Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
Despite the severe DRAM and NAND shortages, Apple will supposedly keep the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro’s price unchanged. The company wants to use current chaos to its advantage and increase its market share.
The memory shortages have already forced several smartphone and PC makers to raise prices.
Apple’s affordable MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e, M5 Pro/Max-equipped MacBook Pros and the M4 iPad Air went on sale Wednesday. The M5-powered MacBook Air and new Studio Displays also hit retail stores today.
Apple began accepting preorders for these devices last week, shortly after unveiling them.
This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: The MacBook Neo is the obvious star that emerged from this week’s tsunami of Apple product announcements. Its potent combo of good looks, surprisingly good performance and an extremely appealing price tag makes it a powerful lure for bringing new people into the Apple world.
We discuss the new laptop’s strong points — as well as some definite drawbacks.
Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:
Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
Apple’s iPhone 17e is the most capable budget iPhone ever made. It packs the A19 chip, a 48MP camera, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display and, notably, MagSafe, into a $599 package. With MagSafe now onboard for the first time in the ‘e’ line, you’ll want a case that takes full advantage of those magnets while protecting your investment. Here are the best MagSafe-compatible iPhone 17e cases you can buy right now (with more surely on the way).
Apple’s just-announced MacBook Neo as well as the new M5 Pro/Max-equipped MacBook Pros, M4 iPad Air, M5 MacBook Air and iPhone 17e are now available for preorder. The new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR are also available to order starting Wednesday.
All devices will start shipping and hit retail stores starting March 11.
Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup has a new, more affordable addition: the iPhone 17e. It might look different from the rest of the family, but under the hood, it shares many of the same core components.
If you are trying to decide between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e, here’s the smarter option.
You don’t need to buy a new handset to bring a fresh look to your iPhone. Apple just unveiled the iPhone 17e, which comes with a beautiful wallpaper — and you can easily add it to your own device now.
Here’s how. (It really is easy.)
Apple launched the iPhone 17e on Monday, offering a new option for those who want a premium smartphone that won’t empty their bank account. The base version offers twice as much storage capacity as its predecessor, makes the jump to the latest Apple A19 processor and adds full support for MagSafe accessories.
“iPhone 17e combines powerful performance and features our users love at an exceptional value, making it a compelling option for customers looking to upgrade to the iPhone 17 family,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of worldwide iPhone product marketing, in a press release. “We know our customers want a product that will last, and iPhone 17e delivers just that. With A19 for incredible performance, double the entry storage, a smarter camera system, and enhanced durability, iPhone 17e is designed to stay fast, secure, and valuable for years to come.”
All signs point to Apple unveiling the iPhone 17e on February 19, and YouTuber Jon Prosser just posted a video that gives us a good look at what to expect.
Contrary to previous leaks, the renders show the iPhone 17e with a Dynamic Island on the front.
Apple will reportedly unveil the iPhone 17e on February 19, exactly a year after the iPhone 16e and less than two weeks from now. It will apparently announce the device through a press release, with no press event planned.
The refresh focus will seemingly focus on incremental upgrades rather than major design changes.
A new iPhone 17e could be right around the corner, and rumors suggest Apple’s next budget model will be a sizable jump over last year’s. Expect it to dump the old screen notch as well as boast other enhancements that bring Apple’s budget handset closer to the more premium options.
In short, those looking for a bargain on a new iPhone should keep their eye out for the 17e.
With more than a dozen new Apple products in the pipeline, 2026 is shaping up to be a busy and important year for the company. Among a plethora of high-profile device launches, we should see the first folding iPhone next year
If all the rumors prove true, Apple’s 2026 product road map looks bold, exciting and ambitious. Check out all the new products Apple likely will launch in 2026.
Apple’s next budget iPhone — the iPhone 17e — will supposedly feature a Dynamic Island. The iPhone 16e currently sports a notch, the only handset in the company’s lineup to do so.
Unfortunately, this could be the iPhone 17e’s only display upgrade, as Apple does not plan to update the panel to a 120Hz one.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: A string of leaks from Majin Bu showcase a new line of “TechWoven” iPhone cases. This looks to be Apple’s replacement for the hated FineWoven cases, with a new material that will make the whole thing less sucky.
But does the world really need a replacement for leather iPhone cases?
Also on The CultCast:
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Apple’s budget iPhone might get a significant visual overhaul in 2026, with the iPhone 17e ditching the notch in favor of the Dynamic Island, according to a new leak.
That would finally bring the modern Dynamic Island experience, which debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro, to price-conscious consumers. However, the leaker didn’t clarify whether we can count on Apple adding MagSafe to the new budget phone, a key feature left out of the iPhone 16e.
Apple already has the iPhone 17e on its drawing board, according to rumors. Surveys indicate the company has a new strategy that’ll bring much more frequent updates to its most affordable iOS handsets.
Here’s when to expect the replacement for the iPhone 16e, and what hardware changes are coming.
Instead of new Macs, Apple will reportedly use the next iPad Pro refresh as the debut device for its M5 chip. The new tablet could launch “as early as October.”
It’s also working on an M4 iPad Air refresh and iPhone 17e for a possible early 2026 launch.