▶️ On Monday, Apple introduced its newest budget phone, the iPhone 17E. As last year, its price starts at $599 (£599, AU$999), but it comes with a base storage of 256GB — double that of last year's base iPhone 16E. Perhaps the most significant improvement is MagSafe support on the iPhone 17E, enabling faster wireless charging and the ability to attach accessories like stands, wallets, and cases.

▶️ The iPhone 17E uses Apple's latest A19 chip, the same one found in the base iPhone 17 model. However, there is a slight caveat: the iPhone 17E has a quad-core GPU, unlike the five cores in the regular iPhone 17. It also features Apple's C1X cellular modem, which the company says is twice as fast as the C1 in the iPhone 16E.

▶️ The iPhone 17E is equipped with a 48-megapixel rear camera and, thanks to sensor cropping, provides 2x optical zoom. While the camera hardware may be similar to last year's, the addition of the A19 chip in the 17E could improve image quality. There is also a 12-megapixel front-facing camera, but it lacks the Center Stage Camera feature — a function that debuted in the iPhone Air and 17 lineups, which can automatically switch between portrait and landscape orientation without needing to rotate the phone.

▶️ The 6.1-inch display is protected by Ceramic Shield 2 coating, which Apple says offers 3 times better scratch resistance than the iPhone 16E and reduces glare. The absence of Dynamic Island or an always-on display sets it apart from the base iPhone 17 model.

▶️ The iPhone 17E has an aluminum body and weighs 169 grams — just 2 grams heavier than the iPhone 16E, despite including MagSafe. It has an IP68 dust and water resistance rating.

▶️ The Camera Control button is still missing, but you can access Visual Intelligence features through the phone's control panel. You'll find other Apple Intelligence features, including real-time translation, call filtering, and cleanup. There is an Action button that allows quick access to your favorite features and apps.

▶️ According to Apple, the iPhone 17E battery can provide up to 26 hours of video playback. This is enabled by the A19 processor, C1X cellular modem, and "advanced iOS 26 power management," Apple notes. Since the new phone has the same battery capacity as last year's iPhone 17E, it should perform well despite its affordable price, based on CNET's battery test results for the iPhone 16E.

▶️ According to Apple, with wired charging, the iPhone 17E can charge up to 50% in about 30 minutes. MagSafe technology increases wireless charging power from 7.5W on the iPhone 16E to 15W on the 17E.

▶️ Pre-orders for the iPhone 17E started on Wednesday, and sales begin on March 11. It will be available in black, white, and soft pink, as well as a 512GB storage option in addition to the base 256GB version.

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