Apple recently announced its iPhone 17e – a model intended to make its AI technology accessible to a broader audience. Although the external design has barely changed, it appears that this time Apple chose to invest specifically in the areas where the previous model, the 16e, began to feel outdated.
A quiet upgrade under the radar: Apple launched the iPhone 17e in a press release
Without a flashy event and without a stage in Cupertino, Apple refreshed its entry device. The iPhone 17e comes with an A19 chip, full support for Apple Intelligence and a new cellular modem developed in Israel – all at the same price tag of 599 dollars.
The most significant news is found under the hood: The A19 chip. This is the same processor that powers the base model of the iPhone 17 series, and it is what enables the device to run the Apple Intelligence suite of artificial intelligence tools. In addition, Apple chose to double the starting storage capacity to 256GB, a significant upgrade given to users without raising the price of the device, which remains at 599 dollars.
Alongside the main processor, the iPhone 17e includes two critical developments by Apple’s silicon teams: The N1 wireless connectivity chip and the C1X cellular modem. These two chips, designed to grant Apple technological independence vis-à-vis external suppliers, were developed in close cooperation with engineers from Apple’s development center in Israel. The N1 is responsible for managing Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth standards, while the C1X provides cellular browsing speeds up to twice as fast as the previous generation, alongside 30% lower power consumption that significantly contributes to battery life.
Another change that addresses past criticism is the addition of support for MagSafe and the Qi2 wireless charging standard. The iPhone 17e can now be charged wirelessly at a speed of 15W, compared to only 7.5W in the previous generation. The display remains 6.1 inches of the Super Retina XDR type, but it receives an upgrade in the form of Ceramic Shield 2. Apple claims that the new coating is three times more resistant to scratches compared to the previous generation and includes reflection-reduction technology.
However, those who expected a dramatic design change may be disappointed: The device retains the familiar look of its predecessor, including the notch at the top, and did not adopt the “Dynamic Island” found in the more expensive models. The camera array continues to rely on a 48-megapixel Fusion camera, enabling high-quality X2 optical zoom photography from a single sensor.
The iPhone 17e will be available in black, white and a new soft pink (Soft Pink).