iPhone 17e offers a faster A19 chip, double the base storage at 256GB, MagSafe support and a 48MP camera but its higher starting price of Rs 64,900 may deter budget-conscious buyers despite the upgrades.
Customers can begin pre-ordering the iPhone 17e on March 4th at 7:45 PM, with general availability commencing March 11th. The device carries a starting price of Rs 64,900 and will come in Soft Pink, White and Black color choices.
Powering the iPhone 17e is Apple's fresh A19 chip, constructed using a 3nm manufacturing process, replacing the A18 chip in the 16e. Apple claims its 6-core CPU delivers performance up to twice as fast as the iPhone 11, while the 4-core GPU enables hardware-accelerated ray tracing for enhanced gaming graphics. A 16-core Neural Engine is also integrated, specifically designed to efficiently manage Apple Intelligence functions.
Furthermore, the phone debuts Apple’s proprietary C1X cellular modem, which the company states is up to twice as swift and more power-efficient than the C1 version used in the iPhone 16e. For photography, the iPhone 17e is equipped with a 48MP Fusion main camera. This allows for what Apple terms "optical-quality" 2x zoom by utilizing the sensor's central area. By default, images are captured at 24MP to balance detail and file size, though users can opt for full 48MP resolution when maximum detail is required.
A significant new feature for this model is the inclusion of MagSafe, opening up the ecosystem of magnetic accessories like chargers, wallets and cases. It supports both Qi2 and MagSafe wireless charging at speeds up to 15W, a notable increase from the 7.5W supported by its predecessor. Using a wired USB-C connection, Apple indicates the battery can reach approximately 50% charge in about half an hour. Overall battery life is projected to last through a full day, thanks to the energy efficiency of the A19 chip and the new C1X modem.
The iPhone 17e comes pre-loaded with iOS 26, which features a refreshed interface and more integrated Apple Intelligence tools. New software capabilities encompass real-time translation within Messages, FaceTime and Phone apps, on-screen visual search functionality, call screening, a hold assistance feature and upgraded message organization. The increased starting price for Apple’s "affordable" iPhone, compared to last year's model, is likely attributable to the ongoing global memory chip shortage. For context, the iPhone 16e debuted at Rs 59,900. A crucial distinction, however, is that the 16e's base model offered 128GB of storage, whereas the 17e begins at 256GB.