Apple unveils the iPhone 17e with 3 key upgrades

It is already been a 12 months since Apple launched the iPhone 16e, and now the corporate is kicking off its March wave of product bulletins by formally unveiling the brand-new iPhone 17e.

At first look, the iPhone 17e seems rather a lot like its predecessor. It retains the identical general design, full with a single rear digital camera and a notch on the 6.1-inch show as a substitute of Dynamic Island. However whereas the outside could really feel acquainted, Apple has made some significant upgrades below the hood, making this a extra substantial refresh.

For starters, the iPhone 17e is powered by the identical A19 chip because the iPhone 17, giving it an influence increase over the iPhone 16e’s A18 chip. Apple has additionally added MagSafe help, so it now works with the complete lineup of MagSafe equipment, together with circumstances, chargers, and wallets. Wi-fi charging speeds additionally get a lift, leaping to 15W, up from 7.5W on the iPhone 16e.

Crucially, Apple has stored pricing the identical. The iPhone 17e nonetheless begins at $599 however now comes with 256GB of base storage — twice the 128GB provided on the 16e. The telephone is accessible in three colours: white, black, and a brand new mushy pink. Pre-orders open March 4, with the iPhone 17e formally launching on March 11.

The iPhone 17e additionally has just a few different upgrades

It is extra sturdy, and its modem is quicker

Apple has additionally made the iPhone 17e extra sturdy than its predecessor by including the identical Ceramic Defend 2 entrance cowl discovered on the iPhone 17 and 17 Professional. In accordance with Apple, it gives as much as 3x stronger scratch resistance than the 16e, together with improved anti-reflective properties to assist cut back glare. The telephone additionally has an IP68 score for water and dirt resistance.

As for the show itself, it is the identical 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR panel “with OLED know-how” that we noticed on the iPhone 16e. The notch remains to be right here, and brightness tops out at 1,200 nits for HDR content material. Apple has additionally skipped ProMotion as soon as once more, that means the iPhone 17e sticks with a 60Hz refresh fee as a substitute of the smoother 120Hz discovered on the iPhone 17 and 17 Professional.

“iPhone 17e combines highly effective efficiency and options our customers love at an distinctive worth, making it a compelling choice for patrons trying to improve to the iPhone 17 household,” stated Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice chairman of Worldwide iPhone Product Advertising, in a press release. “With A19 for unimaginable efficiency, double the entry storage, a wiser digital camera system, and enhanced sturdiness, iPhone 17e is designed to remain quick, safe, and invaluable for years to return.”

The iPhone 17e additionally packs Apple’s C1X mobile modem, which first debuted within the iPhone Air final 12 months. Apple says it is as much as 2x quicker than the C1 modem used within the iPhone 16e, promising higher general connectivity and efficiency.

On the digital camera entrance, the iPhone 17e contains a 48-megapixel rear Fusion digital camera. Apple says it now permits optical-quality 2x Telephoto, describing it as “like having two cameras in a single.”

The iPhone 17e shall be out there for pre-order beginning March 4 at $599, with a full launch on March 11. It arrives shortly after Google’s Pixel 10a, which is able to probably be its greatest rival within the mid-range telephone market. Moreover, alongside the iPhone 17e, Apple additionally introduced its new M4 iPad Air.