Double the storage for the same price
The base model of the iPhone 16e cost $1199 and came with 128GB of memory.
The base 17e is the same price but you get double the storage.
And the 512GB version of the 17e costs $1599, which is actually $200 cheaper than the 512GB 16e, which went for $1799.
That’s a pretty good deal, given we are in the midst of “RAMaggeddon” or the memory shortage caused by data centres’ insatiable thirst amid the AI boom.
Apple’s heft in the market, and ability to avoid tariffs has obviously helped (but the smart money says if you’re going to buy any brand of smartphone – or laptop or smart TV – then get in quick, as memory chip prices are expected to rise).
The trade-offs: iPhone 17e vs iPhone 17
Like all iPhones in the 17 series, the 17e supports Apple Intelligence and runs on iOS 26.
And both the 17 and 17e feature the same aluminium rear and Ceramic Shield 2 glass front cover and splash, water and dust resistance.
Both have Super Retinar XDR OLED screens.
Both can shoot 4K video and both support Face ID.
Here are the key differences:
Display size: The iPhone 17e’s screen is 6.1 inches to the fully-fledged 17’s 6.3 inches (the iPhone Air is 6.5 inches, the 17 Pro Max 6.9-inch).
Display brightness: The 17e has 1200 nits peak brightness with HDR, the 17 has 1600 peak brightness with HDR or 3000 in outdoor mode.
Rear camera setup: The 17e has a single rear camera. The 17 adds a second camera with an ultra-wide lens. For some, this will be the biggest 17 vs 17e compromise. The image stabilisation on the 17e’s main camera is also not quite as advanced.
Selfies: The 17 also has a better front-facing or “selfie” camera with “Centre Stage” technology that automatically keeps you in the centre of the frame and 18 megapixel resolution. The 17e has a 12MP selfie cam with no Centre Stage.
Action button: The 17e lacks the 17’s programmable action button, which can be set for the app or feature of your choice, such as a voice memo or the torch.
Camera control button: Included on the 17, but not the 17e.
Shorter battery life: The 17e’s rated battery life is handy, at 26 hours for video playback, but short of the 17’s 30 hours.
Processing power: Both phones have Apple’s A19 chip, but the 17 has five GPU (graphics processing unit) cores to the 17e’s four.
Faster wireless charging: While the 17e gains MagSafe support, it tops out at 15 watts, the 17 supports a 30W MagSafe charger for faster charging.
Island life: The 17e has a static “notch” over its front camera and sensors rather than the animation-supporting Dynamic Island featured on the 17.
Always-on: The 17e lacks the 17’s Always-on display.
New iPad Air
Apple also introduced a new iPad Air today, with the same design as its predecessor but a bump from the M3 to the M4 processor.
Pre-orders open March 5, with an 11-inch version selling from $1199 and a 13-inch model from $1549.
The company is expected to announce further products at an event scheduled for Thursday.
Chris Keall is an Auckland-based member of the Herald’s business team. He joined the Herald in 2018 and is the technology editor and a senior business writer.
