Compare the Apple iPhone 17e and the iPhone 16e

The iPhone e models are the more accessible iPhones within each series. The iPhone 17e fills that role in the iPhone 17 line-up. You get the same core experience as with the standard model, without the extra features of the Pro models. Unlike the iPhone 17 and 16, the differences between the iPhone 17e and 16e are mainly in ease of use and future‑proofing.

The iPhone 17e supports MagSafe, with wireless charging up to 15 watts. This also allows you to use MagSafe‑compatible iPhone accessories. In addition, the iPhone 17e starts at 256 GB of storage, whereas the iPhone 16e is also available in a 128 GB version. If you take lots of photos and videos or download many apps and files, it’s best to choose an iPhone with 256 GB of storage or more. The iPhone 17e also gets the newer A19 chip instead of the A18. With this processor, gaming and working feel smoother, and you have extra headroom for future updates.

What stays the same? Both models have a 6.1‑inch display, a 48 MP camera and a battery that can play up to 26 hours of video. Even so, the A19 chip in the iPhone 17e ensures the hardware runs more smoothly and in some cases even enables extra features compared with the iPhone 16e. Read on to choose the right iPhone for you.

In terms of design, the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e are almost identical, with an aluminium frame, a glass back and a 6.1‑inch Super Retina XDR display. The placement of the Action button and other buttons is also the same. The main difference lies in the glass on the front: the iPhone 17e uses Ceramic Shield 2, which makes it more resistant to scratches than the iPhone 16e, even if you don’t use a screen protector. In addition, the iPhone 17e comes in an extra colour. As well as black and white, it’s also available in soft pink.