Apple iPhone 17e review: Is this budget iPhone actually worth your money?
The new anti-reflective coating on the Ceramic Shield 2 glass makes a noticeable difference outdoors. Picture: Noel Campion.
Apple dropped the iPhone SE last year in favour of the iPhone 16e, and now there’s the iPhone 17e. It doesn’t look like a big upgrade on paper, but in day-to-day use, it surprised me in a few ways.
Apple hasn't felt the need to change much, as the design is virtually identical to its predecessor, featuring the same frosted glass back and a sturdy aluminium frame. In the hand, it feels every bit an iPhone, with its dense, well-made, and reliable build.
I’m a fan of the Action button, and it’s great to see it included here. It’s a handy little hardware shortcut that lets you launch your favourite apps or functions without digging through menus.
Users of higher‑tier models will notice the absence of a dedicated Camera Control key. While the landscape‑mode interface offers a convenient way to manage camera functions, that advantage fades once the phone is held in portrait mode for shooting photos or videos.
As for durability, you get the usual IP68 rating, meaning it can withstand immersion up to six metres deep. While I wouldn't recommend taking it diving, it gives you peace of mind if you accidentally drop it in the sink or get caught in a downpour.
The 17e sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, and while the colours are vibrant, it's still stuck at 60Hz. In a world where almost every mid-range phone offers a smoother experience, this feels dated, especially since the standard iPhone 17 has finally moved to 120Hz.
On the plus side, Apple has introduced Ceramic Shield 2 glass with an anti-reflective coating, which reduces those annoying reflections, making the screen easier to read in harsh light. That said, the peak brightness only hits just over 800 nits. Compared to some of the blindingly bright Android rivals, it struggles a bit in direct sunlight.
The bezels are symmetrical yet noticeably thicker than those on the iPhone 17. While it keeps the familiar notch, the 17e lacks one of my favourite iOS features, Dynamic Island.
Under the hood, we have the A19 chip, albeit a slightly stripped-back version, featuring four GPU cores instead of five (or six in the Pro). For most people, you won’t notice a difference. In day-to-day use, the phone is snappy and responsive.
Considering the current state of RAM and storage prices, it’s very positive to see Apple has bumped the base storage to 256GB without raising the price. That is a massive quality-of-life win, as 128GB is very tight for modern apps and photos.
Apple hasn't changed the physical battery capacity; it’s still 4,005mAh, but efficiency has improved. In my testing, the battery life felt noticeably better than on the 16e. I could easily get through a full day of mixed use without glancing anxiously at the percentage bar.
Charging is rated at 26W, and a full charge takes about 1.5 hours. Wireless charging has doubled to 15W, and MagSafe support is a welcome upgrade over the 16e, making it much easier to snap on chargers or accessories.
Running the latest iOS, the software experience is as polished as ever. Everything is intuitive, though I do miss that Dynamic Island functionality for quick notifications. Face ID is still the gold standard for biometrics, offering a faster, more secure, and more convenient experience than a fingerprint reader.
The camera consists of a single 48MP lens on the back. In broad daylight, it does a solid job. Photos are detailed with great contrast and a wide dynamic range.
Because it's a small sensor, you don't get much natural background blur (bokeh) when taking portraits. The 2x digital crop is adequate, but don't expect miracles. In low light, the camera performs decently, although shadows can get a bit soft. If there's a decent light source nearby, the images stay noise-free.
The selfie camera is a similar story. It lacks the multi-aspect sensor of the Pro models, meaning you can't change orientation without physically turning the phone. However, skin tones look natural, and autofocus is spot-on. For video, both cameras can shoot 4K at 60fps. The stabilisation is excellent, typical Apple, though low-light video tends to look a bit soft.
The iPhone 17e is the most affordable iPhone you can buy new, and it still upholds the high‑quality standards typical of an Apple device. It’s ideal for users who want a compact, lightweight phone equipped with the latest hardware, ensuring it will stay capable for the next five to seven years.
However, stepping down from the iPhone 17 means a slower, less vibrant display, a single‑lens camera instead of a dual‑camera setup, and the loss of features such as Dynamic Island, Always‑On Display, Wi‑Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6. If these are features you can do without, then the iPhone 17e is a great option.
From €729 Apple.ie
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