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In 2025, Apple discontinued the popular iPhone SE line in favor of the all-new iPhone 16e model. The product, which launched slightly more expensive than its predecessor, was a way for Apple to reach a wider audience that wants the latest devices but doesn’t want to pay the extra money. Even though Apple is merging its “E” series with its current flagship models, there are many differences between the iPhone 17e released in early 2026 and the iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro released in September 2025, such as design, camera capabilities, and other added benefits.
Essentially, Apple is following the strategy that Samsung has been using for years with the Galaxy S series. The company first releases completely new Galaxy S models, and a few months later launches the FE model, which is also part of the same line, but with a few missing features. This way, customers who want the latest Samsung phones can get a newer model without paying extra for fancy features.
In Apple’s case, the difference between the iPhone 17 ($799) and iPhone 17e ($599) is $200. While they both have generous storage options, starting at 256GB, and support for Apple Intelligence, a few things set them apart. Here’s what you need to know about the iPhone “E” series, and especially the latest iPhone 17e.
What’s different between iPhone 17e and iPhone 17
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If you go to an Apple Store and check out the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e, you will realize that their designs are different: the iPhone 17 has a Dynamic Island and two rear cameras, while the iPhone 17e has a notch and one rear camera. Color availability is also limited. The iPhone 17 comes in five colors, while the cheaper model comes in three. The display on the iPhone 17e is smaller and lacks features recently added to the iPhone 17, such as ProMotion and Always-On Display.
The iPhone 17e also lacks camera control, the A19 chip which is also present in the iPhone 17 actually has fewer GPU cores, and the battery life is up to 26 hours instead of up to 30 hours of video playback. For the selfie camera, Apple uses an innovative 18MP Center Stage lens, while iPhone 17e continues to use the same 12MP TrueDepth camera found in previous iPhone models. For the main camera, we’re talking about Apple’s 48MP Fusion camera system instead of the Dual Fusion camera system available on the iPhone 17. With a smaller lens and worse aperture, photos and videos won’t look the same on this iPhone.
Users also lose support for macro photography, the latest generation of photographic styles, and faster MagSafe wireless charging, as the iPhone 17e can be charged at up to 15W and the iPhone 17 at up to 25W. However, all of these compromises make the iPhone 17e a cheaper option for Apple.
Who is the iPhone 17e suitable for?
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The $200 price difference is easier to understand when comparing the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e. While this new budget model is much more interesting than the previous version of the iPhone 16e, this device is not intended for those who upgrade annually or use all the features of their phone. The iPhone 17e is a good option for regular customers who don’t consider themselves tech-savvy, and among all the smartphone options, they’ll still end up with an iPhone instead of an Android.
With this option, they can still have the latest and greatest iPhone, lose some features they probably didn’t even have on the previous version of their phone, and enjoy a fast and new device. Third-party marketplaces are also offering the E phone at a discount, making the deal even better.
One thing that’s important to note is that as soon as Apple is about to release the new iPhone “E”, stock of the previous model virtually disappears, so those waiting for the iPhone 17e after the iPhone 18e release may have a hard time finding it. What’s more interesting is that while users could theoretically buy the iPhone 16, which costs $100 more than the iPhone 17e, they’ll get a few camera features but lose twice the memory, a better processor, and other little things that make the iPhone 17e a better choice than “last year’s” model.