iPhone 17e: the gateway to Apple's world with a few compromises
With 256 GB of storage, A19 chip and 48 MP camera, the iPhone 17e offers a smooth experience but with some limitations compared to the higher models
the iPhone 17e is the handiest of the iPhones, weighing 170 grams, practically the same as the iPhone 17 (very slightly less). It has a 6.1-inch display, the same size as the iPhone 16, while the 17 offers a more generous 6.3 inches. It mounts the same processor as the 17, the A19, the latest family of chips made by Apple, which in the Pro version dedicated to the 17 Pro grants a little more in terms of graphics. It is therefore the least expensive choice for those who want to enter the Apple ecosystem. It makes some steps forward compared to the iPhone 16e, of which it represents the evolution, in terms of the full Apple experience, but some limitations remain in the specifications.
Cameras, Memory and Battery
On the positive side, Apple has increased the minimum storage to 256 GB, and the quality of the chip makes operation very fast and smooth. The battery performs well, always reaching the end of the day. The main camera has a single 48-megapixel sensor but is very reliable, capable of good photos in almost all conditions. It remains less versatile than the 17, which adds a wide-angle lens, and especially the 17 Pro, with a telephoto lens for zoom and more advanced shots, but in the latter case you enter a different price bracket.
The front-facing camera is simpler: 12 megapixels on the 17e versus 18 with advanced features (such as Center Stage) on the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro, designed for more defined selfies and video calls. Convenient is the return of full MagSafe support, absent on the 16e, which allows you to attach magnetic covers, wallets and chargers.
Design, display and price
In terms of design, the iPhone 17e retains the notch instead of the Dynamic Island, which takes up part of the screen and limits some of the functionality of apps designed for the new design. Those coming from more recent models will immediately perceive this somewhat 'dated' feel. The 60Hz display is one of the main limitations of the 17e: scrolling and rapid movements are somewhat jarring compared to the 120Hz of the iPhone 17, where everything appears more fluid. You get used to it, but the difference is noticeable. Another difference, this time a small one: the Always-On Display, which allows you to see basic information (time, widgets, notifications) even when the phone is in standby, is also missing.
We close with the price. iPhone 17e is on sale for 729 euros. This is a significant figure which, as we have done, is the gateway to the Apple world. The standard iPhone 17 requires a 250 euro higher investment at 979 euro, but on stores like Amazon and MediaWorld it can be found on offer for around 928 euro, thus narrowing the real gap between the two models to around 200 euro.
