ReviewMash

ReviewMash

Apple
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Apple iPhone 17e

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Specifications
GSMArena Official
GSMArena Official
3/19/2026
Neutral sentiment
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Negative sentiment

Apple iPhone 17e review: A tricky value proposition?

Pros

  • Considerably better battery life with about 15.5 hours of active use
  • Excellent performance for its class with the A19 chipset
  • Rear camera delivers solid daylight photos with good detail and dynamic range
  • Upgraded 15W MagSafe wireless charging support
  • Increased base storage to 256GB without a price change

Cons

  • Display still has an outdated 60 Hz refresh rate
  • Poor sunlight legibility due to low maximum brightness
  • Lacks Dynamic Island functionality and always-on display support
  • Value proposition is undermined by alternative iPhone models
  • A19 chipset has fewer GPU cores than higher-tier models

The iPhone 17e introduces several notable improvements over its predecessor, including significantly better battery life and an A19 chipset that ensures excellent performance for its class. It also boasts a solid 48-megapixel main camera for daylight photography, upgraded MagSafe wireless charging, and an increased base storage of 256GB without a price hike.

However, the phone is hampered by several key limitations. Most notably, its display retains an outdated 60 Hz refresh rate, lacks always-on functionality, struggles with sunlight legibility due to its brightness, and still features thick bezels with a large notch devoid of Dynamic Island integration.

Ultimately, despite being the cheapest new iPhone, its overall value is questioned by the reviewer. With strong alternatives like last year's iPhone 16 available at a similar price and the regular iPhone 17 offering a superior 120 Hz display for a modest premium, consumers are advised to consider other options for better value.

So, that's the iPhone 17e. Our tests show that it has better battery life than the iPhone 16e, and the wired charging is improved a little bit, too. Plus, you get a faster chipset, Mag Safe, and an anti-reflective screen, but is that enough to make it worth getting?
So, in the end, while the iPhone 17e is the cheapest new iPhone model, for the best value, it could be worth it to look elsewhere.
nieantyfan
nieantyfan
3/19/2026
Negative sentiment
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Negative sentiment

iPhone 17e: Simply SHAMEFUL | REVIEW

Pros

  • The A19 processor offers excellent performance.
  • The base internal storage has been doubled to 256 GB.
  • 15W MagSafe charging has been introduced.

Cons

  • The camera is identical to the previous model.
  • The screen has only 60 Hz and average brightness.
  • Lack of Always On Display.
  • Features thick bezels and a notch instead of Dynamic Island.
  • The price of 3000 zł is disproportionate to the offered changes.

The iPhone 17e, while equipped with a powerful A19 processor and doubled base storage, is criticized for lacking significant upgrades over its predecessor.

The reviewer points to the same camera and 60 Hz screen, the absence of Always On Display, and outdated bezels with a notch as serious flaws. The 3000 zł price is deemed too high and disproportionate to the minimal changes, leading to a categorical lack of purchase recommendation.

The phone is only recommended for die-hard Apple fans, and only if the price is significantly reduced, preferably to around 2000 zł.

Regarding this device, which is priced the same, I have a lot of bad things to say, and no, I absolutely do not recommend it.
It is absolutely not worth 3000 zł. Thank you, goodbye. We can disperse.
Kuba Klawiter
Kuba Klawiter
3/16/2026
Negative sentiment
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Positive sentiment

How to live well and cheaply in Las Vegas?

Pros

  • Affordable price as a 'cheap iPhone'.
  • Includes MagSafe, which was missing in the previous model.
  • Decent sound recording quality from the built-in microphone.

Cons

  • Very poor image stabilization.
  • Lack of a wide-angle lens for close-up recording.
  • Annoying, visible screen bezels, especially on bright backgrounds.
  • Limited to six-times zoom.

The iPhone 17e is positioned as an affordable, 'cheap iPhone' that introduces MagSafe functionality, representing a significant upgrade compared to the previous 16E model. It also offers decent sound quality from its built-in microphone, which is a plus for basic video creation.

However, the phone has significant drawbacks, such as very poor image stabilization and the absence of a wide-angle lens, limiting its filmmaking capabilities. Furthermore, the visible screen bezels are irritating, especially on bright backgrounds.

Despite these compromises, the reviewer finds the phone sufficient for simple video tasks, indicating its acceptability within its price range.

Oh, God, the stabilization on this is terrible.
These bezels are really annoying me. Someone might say, 'That's not a big deal.'
The dictaphone on this iPhone. Well, I think it's good, this one is probably a bit better, but this one isn't bad at all.
Kuba Klawiter
Kuba Klawiter
3/12/2026
Neutral sentiment
Negative sentiment
Neutral sentiment

New Apple, new DJI… and something from IKEA

Pros

  • It's the cheapest iPhone model.

Cons

  • It probably has one, not the best camera.
The Apple iPhone 17e is presented as the most affordable iPhone model, suggesting its potential accessibility. However, it's mentioned that it likely features a single camera of questionable quality. A full review and verdict on this smartphone are pending, as the reviewer has not yet unboxed it. Detailed information is expected in the next episode.
the iPhone, which I haven't even taken out of the box yet. [...] And I'll probably say more about it in the next episode.
Flossy Carter
Flossy Carter
3/12/2026
Negative sentiment
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iPhone 17E - Unboxing and First Impressions

Pros

  • Capable 48MP main camera with good portrait mode
  • Guaranteed 7 years of software updates with iOS 26
  • Includes Apple Intelligence features
  • Effective and well-working face unlock system
  • Good 6.1-inch OLED display with HDR10 and 1200 nits brightness

Cons

  • Outdated 60Hz refresh rate on the display
  • Lacks an always-on display feature
  • Features a large notch instead of Dynamic Island
  • Absence of an ultra-wide camera lens
  • Slow 20-watt wired charging speeds

The Apple iPhone 17E, priced at $600, is positioned as a mid-range entry into the Apple ecosystem. It offers a capable 48MP main camera with good portrait mode, a decent 6.1-inch OLED display, and the promise of 7 years of software updates with Apple Intelligence. The face unlock also performs well.

However, the device faces significant criticism for its outdated features, including a 60Hz refresh rate, no always-on display, and a large notch instead of a Dynamic Island. Other drawbacks include the lack of an ultra-wide camera and slow 20W wired charging.

Consequently, the reviewer advises against purchasing the 17E, recommending the standard iPhone 17 or used Pro Max models for a superior experience, though it's deemed acceptable as a secondary or budget-friendly iOS device.

I would skip this phone and go straight to the 17. Let's just keep it a buck. Skip the iPhone 17E. Save up one more paycheck and get the 17.
Okay, for 600 bucks, it's not a bad phone. [...] But I heard a lot of people call it online a budget phone. 600 bucks is not a budget phone. Okay? 600 bucks is a mid-range phone.
Kuba Klawiter
Kuba Klawiter
3/6/2026
Neutral sentiment
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Negative sentiment
Neutral sentiment

Lots, Cheap, Apple?

Pros

  • Features MagSafe technology.
  • Suitable for users with lower expectations.
  • Improved compared to the previous iPhone 16e model.

Cons

  • Only has one camera.
  • Lacks 120 Hz screen refresh rate.
  • The price of 3000 zł [approx. $750 USD] is considered high.
  • Outdated phone design.
  • No Dynamic Island.
The Apple iPhone 17e is positioned as a budget smartphone, although its price of 3000 zł [approx. $750 USD] is considered high given the lack of modern features. It still has only one camera and does not offer a 120 Hz screen refresh rate, which Apple reserves for its Pro models. Despite this, the 17e model is suitable for users with lower expectations and represents some improvement over the uninspired iPhone 16e. It also includes MagSafe technology.
3000 zł [approx. $750 USD] is not a small amount for a smartphone that looks like it came out about 4 years ago, because it doesn't have the Dynamic Island. Everything is like that. But on the other hand, if someone doesn't want too much from a phone, then this is exactly the phone for such a person.
We have the 17e after the 16e turned out to be not a very interesting product, but the 17E seems to be slightly improved.