Club Benefits
Apple just made the iPhone 17e official, signaling a yearly refresh for the cheapest iPhone you can get. While it gets its share of upgrades, I bet you’re itching to know exactly what’s new and different.
From a cursory look, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between them because they look practically identical. But there are some differences, which is what this iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 16e comparison will explore in detail. From their processors and cameras to the design, these details will help you determine which best cheap phone contender is right for you — or if it’s worth upgrading from the older model to the new one.
iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e: Specifications
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | iPhone 17e | iPhone 16e |
Starting price | $599 | $599 |
Display | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.1-inch OLED |
Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
Rear cameras | 48MP main (f/1.6) | 48MP main (f/1.6) |
Front cameras | 12MP selfie (f/1.9) | 12MP selfie (f/1.9)(f/1.9) |
Chipset | Apple A19 | Apple A18 |
Storage | 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Charging | 20W wired, 15W wireless with MagSafe | 20W wired, 7.5W wireless |
Water/dust resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
Size | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm) | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm) |
Weight | 5.96 ounces (169 grams) | 5.88 ounces (167 grams) |
Colors | White, Black, Soft Pink | White, Black |
iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e: Price and release date
The iPhone 17e was announced today, March 2, 2026, with pre-orders available starting Wednesday, March 4, and a wider release date set for March 11. What’s nice is that Apple is keeping the same $599 price point as before, but the notable difference this time is that you’re getting double the starting storage at 256GB — as opposed to the 128GB on the iPhone 16e.
Both phones are available in white and black, but for those wanting something extra, the iPhone 17e also comes in a new soft pink shade.
iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e: Design
There’s really no much different about the design of the iPhone 17e, as Apple has recycled the previous design, complete with the same notch for the Dynamic Island, an aerospace-grade aluminum frame, and identical button placements.
The only two notable design differences are the Ceramic 2 Shield 2 display and support for MagSafe charging. Ceramic Shield 2 promises 3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation along with reduced glare.
The new soft pink color option is an extra choice for those tired of the same black and white finishes.
Similarly, their dimensions are identical, but the iPhone 17e is a smidge heavier at 5.96 ounces. It’s not much at all. That weight gain could be attributed to the magnets needed to make MagSafe happen.
iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e: Display
Likewise, Apple hasn’t changed much regarding the iPhone 17e’s display, aside from the addition of the sturdier Ceramic Shield 2 cover, which is featured across the entire iPhone 17 family.
Other than that, the display remains largely unchanged, retaining the same 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR panel. Despite rumors about a smaller Dynamic Island, the iPhone 17e retains the same cutout as its predecessor.
Finally, the display doesn’t appear to be any brighter. While Apple cites a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, it remains to be seen if it will consistently hit that mark, especially since our testing showed the iPhone 16e peaked at 1,028 nits. For those hoping for a high refresh rate, you’ll be disappointed — the iPhone 17e is still locked at 60Hz.
iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e: Cameras
Yet again, there are no surprises in the camera department, as the iPhone 17e shares the same 48MP main rear camera and 12MP TrueDepth front camera as its predecessor. I don’t expect any substantial improvements, given that the iPhone 17e’s rear camera still has the same f/1.6 aperture and optical-quality 2x zoom performance.
On the video front, the iPhone 17e can still record at up to 4K at 60 fps — with slo‑mo video support up to 1080p at 240 fps. Personally, I’d be shocked if there were any significant improvement in the iPhone 17e’s camera performance based solely on the hardware.
iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e: Performance
The biggest upgrade for the iPhone 17e is the A19 chip under the hood, which I suspect should rival the performance of the iPhone 17. I don’t anticipate seeing a noticeable boost in how the iPhone 17e operates with everyday tasks, but I do expect to see better graphics processing performance given what I’ve seen previously with the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17.
Another upgrade you should know about is the new Apple-designed C1X modem. Apple claims it is up to 2x faster than the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e and matches the speeds found in the iPhone Air. Furthermore, the C1X reportedly uses 30% less power than the modem in the iPhone 16 Pro — which should provide a welcome boost to the phone’s overall battery life.
iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e: Battery life and charging
Although Apple doesn’t officially share the battery capacities of its iPhones, it’s safe to assume the iPhone 17e has the same capacity as the iPhone 16e, given that Apple rates them both at 26 hours of video playback. Consequently, I don’t expect a dramatic difference in the iPhone 17e’s real-world endurance — especially since the iPhone 16e averaged a solid 12 hours and 41 minutes in our testing.
However, I’m thrilled that the iPhone 17e finally gains MagSafe charging, with 15W wireless speeds and the proper magnets embedded into the phone. This was one of the biggest omissions from the iPhone 16e, and its inclusion now allows the phone to access the wide world of MagSafe accessories out there — from the best MagSafe chargers I test to the various MagSafe wallets I’m checking out next.
iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e: Software
The iPhone 17e runs the latest iOS 26 software out of the box, but the iPhone 16e supports it as well. So you get the same Liquid Glass design, Visual Intelligence features and upgraded Messages with polls and custom backgrounds.
Don’t get me wrong—I love the uniformity of the software experience between these two phones, but there’s nothing new or exclusive here that adds extra value to the iPhone 17e in terms of software or AI features.
iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e: Outlook
Although it doesn’t appear to be a massive upgrade, the iPhone 17e has merit in costing the same as the iPhone 16e. For its $599 price tag, you’re essentially getting double the starting storage, a more resilient Ceramic Shield 2 display, a faster A19 chip, and a more power-efficient C1X modem.
If you already own an iPhone 16e, there likely isn't enough here to justify an upgrade. But if you have an older iPhone SE or you're looking to upgrade to a new iPhone without spending a bundle, the iPhone 17e could be the best option for you.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.
More from Tom's Guide
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
