Apple has officially started its latest wave of announcements, and the star of the show is the new iPhone 17e. Positioned as the more accessible entry point into the iPhone 17 family. It’s a smartphone that finally brings some of Apple’s most premium features down to a more palatable price point.
Here is everything you need to know about the latest addition to the line-up.
Pro-Level Brains, Entry-Level Price
The headline news here is the silicon. The iPhone 17e is powered by the A19 chip, built on advanced 3-nanometer technology. The 6-core CPU is up to twice as fast as the iPhone 11. Whether you’re scrolling through a decade of photos or using the new “Clean Up” feature in Apple Intelligence, the lag is officially a thing of the past.
For the gamers among us, the 4-core GPU now supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing. This means console-level lighting and reflections in AAA games, right there in the palm of your hand.
Connectivity and Battery
Apple has also debuted the C1X cellular modem. It’s up to twice as fast as the modem in the 16e and matches the speeds found in the ultra-slim iPhone Air. Even better? It uses 30 per cent less energy. Combined with the efficiencies of iOS 26, Apple is promising exceptional all-day battery life.
And yes, the rumours were true: MagSafe is officially back. After being absent from the previous entry-level model, you can now enjoy 15W fast wireless charging and snap on the full ecosystem of magnetic cases, wallets, and chargers.
A Super Retina Display
The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display is now protected by Ceramic Shield 2. Apple claims this offers three times better scratch resistance than the previous generation. It also features a new coating to reduce glare, which is a lifesaver when you’re trying to navigate using Google Maps in the midday Aussie sun.
Speaking of navigation, the 17e retains Apple’s groundbreaking satellite features. Even if you’re completely off the grid with no Wi-Fi or mobile signal, you can still access Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, and “Find My” via satellite.
The Camera: Two Lenses in One
On the back, you’ll find a 48MP Fusion camera. While it looks like a single lens, it actually enables an optical-quality 2x Telephoto zoom. It’s effectively like having two cameras in one.
The software has seen a major “IQ” boost as well. The new image pipeline automatically recognises people, dogs, and cats. The best part? You can turn a standard photo into a professional-looking portrait with background blur after you’ve taken the shot, and even adjust the focus point later in the Photos app.
More Space, Same Value
In a move that will please anyone tired of “Storage Full” notifications, the iPhone 17e now starts at 256GB (that is double the entry storage of the previous generation). In Australia, it will retail for RRP A$999, maintaining the same starting price point while offering four times the storage of the old iPhone.
Design and Availability
The 17e features a premium matte finish and comes in three colours: Black, White, and a very trendy Soft Pink. It is also built with the planet in mind, using 85 per cent recycled aluminium and 100 per cent recycled cobalt in the battery.
- Pre-orders: Open this Thursday, 5 March, at 1:15 a.m. AEDT.
- On-sale: Wednesday, 11 March.
- Accessories: Silicone cases with MagSafe (including new colours like “Bright Guava” and “Light Moss”) will retail for A$79.
