96
StuffT3Mar 20, 2026
“With meaningful upgrades, the 17e is a fine update to an already-good budget iPhone.”
By Dan Grabham · Rated 5/5Full review
Phone
iPhone 17e
Apple · From $599
Release date Mar 11, 2026
82
Recommended
Based on 17 Critic Reviews
14 with a published score, 3 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Apr 7, 2026
5 Rave12 Positive
Critics' Take
Critics call the iPhone 17e a clear step up from the 16e, mainly for MagSafe, 256GB of base storage and the A19 chip, all at an unchanged $599. Reviewers praise its speed and battery life, but the 60Hz display, notch and single rear camera draw repeated complaints. The Verge, Engadget and PCMag say the $799 iPhone 17 is the better buy if you can stretch the budget.
What critics loved
- MagSafe finally on the budget iPhone
- 256GB base storage at the same $599
- A19 chip performance close to the iPhone 17
- Long battery life and compact, light body
Common gripes
- 60Hz display with no always-on option
- Single rear camera, no ultrawide
- Notch and thick bezels instead of Dynamic Island
- Wired charging is still slow
- The $799 iPhone 17 is a better phone for $200 more
Critic Scorecard
17 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:T1100%T275%T340%T420%
96
ITProT3Mar 27, 2026
“For those who want a cheaper way into the Apple ecosystem, or businesses that want to find quality handsets that their employees will actually like, the iPhone 17e is undeniably a solid choice.”
By Bobby Hellard · Rated 4.5/5Full review
88
GizmodoT2Mar 9, 2026
“Apple addressed nearly every complaint about the iPhone 16e and kept the price the same. It's a good deal.”
By Raymond Wong · Rated 4/5Full review
87
CNETT1Mar 16, 2026
“And for most people, the compromises shouldn’t feel too glaring, especially when you’re saving a couple of hundred dollars.”
By Abrar Al-Heeti · Rated 8.6/10Full review
87
Daring FireballT3Mar 9, 2026
“With 256 GB of storage, even the base model 17e is recommendable without hesitation.”
By John Gruber · Unrated, scored from textFull review
84
Mobile SyrupT3Mar 9, 2026
“If you’re upgrading from even an iPhone 13 or 14 and want to keep it under C$1,000, I’d grab the iPhone 17e.”
By Dean Daley · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Show 11 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
82
Tom's GuideT2Mar 9, 2026
“It’s not a revolutionary leap, but it is the perfect landing spot for anyone upgrading from a several-years-old device who wants a modern iPhone experience on a budget.”
By John Velasco · Rated 4/5Full review
81
EngadgetT1Mar 9, 2026
“the iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills path into the Apple ecosystem.”
By Cherlynn Low · Rated 80/100Full review
81
TechRadarT2Mar 9, 2026
“The iPhone 17e doesn’t reinvent Apple’s budget iPhone, but it meaningfully refines the formula introduced with the iPhone 16e.”
By Jacob Krol · Rated 4/5Full review
81
Trusted ReviewsT2Mar 18, 2026
“Saying that, the iPhone 17e is better than the 16e thanks to a more capable chip, double the starting storage and MagSafe.”
By Max Parker · Rated 4/5Full review
81
Tech AdvisorT3Mar 11, 2026
“The Apple iPhone 17e is a strong entry-level iPhone, delivering great performance, a solid battery life, a capable rear camera, and the full iOS 26 experience in a compact, premium design.”
By Britta O’Boyle · Rated 4/5Full review
79
MacworldT2Apr 7, 2026
“The iPhone 17e is an affordable phone with many good points (performance, looks, battery life, and, of course, the advantages of iOS) and several noteworthy compromises, such as the notch and cameras.”
By David Price · Rated 3.5/5Full review
78
PCMagT2Mar 9, 2026
“The $599 Apple iPhone 17e is an excellent follow-up to last year's already-good iPhone 16e.”
By Eric Zeman · Rated 4/5Full review
77
The VergeT1Mar 9, 2026
“The iPhone 17E is a better value than the 16E was when it arrived, but that should matter to basically nobody.”
By Allison Johnson · Rated 7/10Full review
77
WiredT1Mar 9, 2026
“The iPhone 17e is still a little overpriced compared to the competition, but I think it's a perfectly fine choice for anyone who wants to buy a basic iPhone without going through the used market.”
By Julian Chokkattu · Rated 7/10Full review
77
T3T3Apr 6, 2026
“The cheapest iPhone in the range still performs every bit as well as you would expect of an iPhone.”
By Mat Gallagher · Rated 4/5Full review
77
GSMArenaT3Mar 18, 2026
“Still, globally, the iPhone 17e struggles to offer compelling value for its price, and if you're after a bargain-priced iPhone, then last year's iPhone 16 fits the bill better.”
By GSMArena Team · Unrated, scored from textFull review
79
MacworldT2Apr 7, 2026
“The iPhone 17e is an affordable phone with many good points (performance, looks, battery life, and, of course, the advantages of iOS) and several noteworthy compromises, such as the notch and cameras.”
By David Price · Rated 3.5/5Full review
77
T3T3Apr 6, 2026
“The cheapest iPhone in the range still performs every bit as well as you would expect of an iPhone.”
By Mat Gallagher · Rated 4/5Full review
96
ITProT3Mar 27, 2026
“For those who want a cheaper way into the Apple ecosystem, or businesses that want to find quality handsets that their employees will actually like, the iPhone 17e is undeniably a solid choice.”
By Bobby Hellard · Rated 4.5/5Full review
96
StuffT3Mar 20, 2026
“With meaningful upgrades, the 17e is a fine update to an already-good budget iPhone.”
By Dan Grabham · Rated 5/5Full review
81
Trusted ReviewsT2Mar 18, 2026
“Saying that, the iPhone 17e is better than the 16e thanks to a more capable chip, double the starting storage and MagSafe.”
By Max Parker · Rated 4/5Full review
77
GSMArenaT3Mar 18, 2026
“Still, globally, the iPhone 17e struggles to offer compelling value for its price, and if you're after a bargain-priced iPhone, then last year's iPhone 16 fits the bill better.”
By GSMArena Team · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Show 11 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
87
CNETT1Mar 16, 2026
“And for most people, the compromises shouldn’t feel too glaring, especially when you’re saving a couple of hundred dollars.”
By Abrar Al-Heeti · Rated 8.6/10Full review
81
Tech AdvisorT3Mar 11, 2026
“The Apple iPhone 17e is a strong entry-level iPhone, delivering great performance, a solid battery life, a capable rear camera, and the full iOS 26 experience in a compact, premium design.”
By Britta O’Boyle · Rated 4/5Full review
88
GizmodoT2Mar 9, 2026
“Apple addressed nearly every complaint about the iPhone 16e and kept the price the same. It's a good deal.”
By Raymond Wong · Rated 4/5Full review
87
Daring FireballT3Mar 9, 2026
“With 256 GB of storage, even the base model 17e is recommendable without hesitation.”
By John Gruber · Unrated, scored from textFull review
84
Mobile SyrupT3Mar 9, 2026
“If you’re upgrading from even an iPhone 13 or 14 and want to keep it under C$1,000, I’d grab the iPhone 17e.”
By Dean Daley · Unrated, scored from textFull review
82
Tom's GuideT2Mar 9, 2026
“It’s not a revolutionary leap, but it is the perfect landing spot for anyone upgrading from a several-years-old device who wants a modern iPhone experience on a budget.”
By John Velasco · Rated 4/5Full review
81
EngadgetT1Mar 9, 2026
“the iPhone 17e is a solid entry-level handset for those who need a basic, no-frills path into the Apple ecosystem.”
By Cherlynn Low · Rated 80/100Full review
81
TechRadarT2Mar 9, 2026
“The iPhone 17e doesn’t reinvent Apple’s budget iPhone, but it meaningfully refines the formula introduced with the iPhone 16e.”
By Jacob Krol · Rated 4/5Full review
78
PCMagT2Mar 9, 2026
“The $599 Apple iPhone 17e is an excellent follow-up to last year's already-good iPhone 16e.”
By Eric Zeman · Rated 4/5Full review
77
The VergeT1Mar 9, 2026
“The iPhone 17E is a better value than the 16E was when it arrived, but that should matter to basically nobody.”
By Allison Johnson · Rated 7/10Full review
77
WiredT1Mar 9, 2026
“The iPhone 17e is still a little overpriced compared to the competition, but I think it's a perfectly fine choice for anyone who wants to buy a basic iPhone without going through the used market.”
By Julian Chokkattu · Rated 7/10Full review
Quick Facts
- Display
- 6.1-inch OLED, 2532 x 1170, 60Hz, 1,200 nits peak
- Chip
- Apple A19, C1X modem
- Storage
- 256GB or 512GB
- Rear camera
- 48MP Fusion main (includes 2x crop zoom), no ultrawide
- Front camera
- 12MP TrueDepth with Face ID
- Battery
- Up to 26 hours video playback
- Charging
- USB-C, 15W Qi2 wireless with MagSafe
- Weight
- 169 g
- Price
- From $599 (256GB)