Apple has upgraded its cheapest new iPhone with a faster chip, double the storage, automatic portraits and MagSafe, offering more of the core iOS experience for less. The iPhone 17e starts at £599, undercutting the iPhone 17 by £200 and the iPhone 16 by £100.
The phone retains the iPhone 14-like design with a large notch and a 6.1in OLED screen. It features the A19 chip (one GPU core less than the regular iPhone 17), 256GB of standard storage, and excellent battery life lasting up to 52 hours between charges. Connectivity includes 5G, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, and satellite support, but lacks Wi-Fi 7, Thread, and Ultra Wideband.
The single 48MP rear camera captures good photos across lighting conditions and offers a 2x crop zoom. It now automatically captures portrait shots, allowing post-shot focus and depth adjustments. However, it lacks ultrawide, telephoto, and macrophotography modes. The 12MP selfie camera is adequate but not Apple's latest 18MP version.
The iPhone 17e is repairable, scoring 7/10 from iFixit, with battery replacement costing £95 and screen repairs £225. It contains over 30% recycled materials, and Apple offers trade-in and free recycling schemes.
For those seeking the cheapest new iPhone, the 17e is a solid choice, but the single camera limits photography options. The iPhone 16 is available from third-party retailers for a similar price or less refurbished.
