Apple’s budget-friendly iPhone, the iPhone 17e, was launched only one yr after its predecessor, the iPhone 16e.
With that in thoughts, what are the variations between the 2 iPhones? Did Apple do an entire overhaul with the iPhone 17e, or is the iPhone 16e nonetheless a terrific alternative for many budget-seekers?
We’ve reviewed each the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e, and highlighted the important thing variations and noteworthy similarities between them under. Maintain studying to see what actually separates the handsets.
In any other case, go to our iPhone 17e vs iPhone 17 comparability to resolve whether or not it is best to splurge on Apple’s customary mannequin as an alternative. Lastly, our greatest mid-range telephones checklist has all our reasonably priced favourites from the previous yr.
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone 17e is Apple’s present reasonably priced handset, with a beginning value of £599/$599 for the 256GB handset.
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Though it simply launched again in 2025, the iPhone 16e is not that can be purchased instantly from Apple and might solely be bought by authorised resellers as an alternative. The worth will fluctuate relying on the retailer, nonetheless you’ll be able to anticipate to pay round £499 for its 128GB iteration.
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Design
- Each the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e share the identical normal design
- iPhone 17e advantages from Ceramic Protect 2 at its entrance
- Neither are fitted with Apple’s Digital camera Management button
Put the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e subsequent to at least one one other and also you’d be hard-pressed to discover a distinction. Though the iPhone 17e is available in a Pink shade alongside Black and White, each share the identical dimensions, have a again glass and sport the customisable Motion Button in lieu of the ringer change.
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Nonetheless, the iPhone 17e does profit from Ceramic Protect 2 at its entrance, which is promised to supply 3 times the scratch resistance in comparison with Ceramic Protect which the iPhone 16e is decked out in. In any other case, neither handset consists of the Dynamic Island nor the Digital camera Management button discovered within the iPhone 17 or iPhone 16.
Winner: iPhone 17e
Display screen
- Ceramic Protect 2 is the one distinction between the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e’s screens
- Each have 6.1-inch OLED panels
- Neither are fitted with ProMotion
The principle distinction with the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e’s screens is that the previous sports activities Ceramic Protect 2 for higher scratch resistance. In any other case, each are 6.1-inch OLED panels with a 60Hz refresh price, as neither boast Apple’s ProMotion expertise.
iPhone 17e show. Picture Credit score (Trusted Opinions)
General, each units have first rate screens, nonetheless they actually don’t measure as much as the iPhone 17 and even the iPhone 16. Actually, even in case you’re upgrading from a 3 or four-year outdated iPhone, you’re unlikely to essentially discover the distinction right here.
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Winner: iPhone 17e
Digital camera
- Each have a single 48MP Fusion digicam at their rear
- No selfie digicam adjustments
- iPhone 17e has the next-generation portrait mode
There aren’t many adjustments with the iPhone 17e’s digicam {hardware} in comparison with the iPhone 16e as each are fitted with simply two cameras altogether: a 48MP Fusion lens on the rear and a 12MP selfie lens on the entrance.
If you happen to take pleasure in extra versatility along with your digicam, and need to mess around with totally different lenses, then neither iPhone right here will doubtless fit your wants. As an alternative, you’d be higher off with not less than the iPhone 16 or iPhone 17, or testing our greatest digicam telephones information.
iPhone 16e pattern picture. Picture Credit score (Trusted Opinions)
Having stated that, each the iPhone 17e and 16e have succesful and dependable cameras that produce detailed and vibrant photographs. Even in darker situations, each cameras are capable of pull in sufficient gentle to seize first rate photographs.
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Portrait on iPhone 17e. Picture Credit score (Trusted Opinions)
The iPhone 17e additionally advantages from next-generation portrait photographs with focus and depth management too, which the iPhone 16e missed out on. Because of this, we’ll give the win right here to the iPhone 17e, nonetheless it’s nonetheless a detailed name.
Winner: iPhone 17e
Efficiency
- iPhone 17e runs on Apple’s A19 chip whereas the iPhone 16e sports activities the A18 chip
- iPhone 17e comes with 256GB by default
- iPhone 17e consists of Apple’s newest C1X modem
The iPhone 17e runs on Apple’s A19 chip whereas the iPhone 16e, unsurprisingly, runs on the year-older A18 chip. Though each chips have one-less GPU in comparison with the iPhone 17 or iPhone 16, we conclude that the 2 handsets run brilliantly in on a regular basis use. Actually, each the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e took every little thing from intense gaming to photograph enhancing with ease.
iPhone 17e. Picture Credit score (Trusted Opinions)
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Dive deeper beneath the hood, and also you’ll discover that Apple makes use of its personal modems throughout the two iPhones. Whereas the iPhone 16e was the primary to incorporate the C1 modem, the iPhone 17e advantages from the newer C1X different. Primarily, the modems promise customers sooner and extra dependable cellular connectivity, with out utilizing an excessive amount of energy.
Whereas the iPhone 17e guarantees even sooner connectivity, in our evaluation we didn’t actually discover that a lot of a distinction between it and the iPhone 16e.
Lastly, the iPhone 17e comes with 256GB storage as customary which is double that of the iPhone 16e. It is a welcome improve, as video games and apps are bigger than ever so further storage is at all times helpful.
Winner: iPhone 17e
Software program
- Each have the Emergency SOS by way of Satellite tv for pc and Crash Detection security options
- Each function Apple Intelligence
- Each help iOS 26
There’s little or no distinction between the 2 iPhones’ software program. Each help iOS 26, and subsequently sport the considerably divisive Liquid Glass end, and each surprisingly run your complete Apple Intelligence toolkit.
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Whereas it’s good that each the iPhone 16e and 17e help Apple Intelligence, we wouldn’t say this ought to be the purpose you improve. Positive, some options like Reside Translation and notification summaries are helpful, however general it doesn’t fairly have the identical oomph as Samsung or Google’s AI toolkits.
iPhone 16e. Picture Credit score (Trusted Opinions)
In any other case, each handsets additionally help Emergency SOS by way of Satellite tv for pc and Crash Detection too. These options might be a welcome addition for anybody coming from an older iPhone.
Winner: Tie
Battery Life
- We discovered the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e run for the same period of time
- iPhone 17e helps MagSafe for sooner 15W wi-fi charging than the 16e
- Each help 20W wired charging
The largest distinction between the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e’s respective batteries is the inclusion of MagSafe within the former. Not solely does this allow help for loads of magnetic equipment however it affords 15W wi-fi charging, in comparison with the 7.5W on the 16e. Positive, it’s not as quick because the Xiaomi 15T Professional’s 50W, however it’s nonetheless an improve.
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In any other case, it’s just about enterprise as traditional with each iPhones right here. Each help 20W wired charging speeds and each can comfortably final for a full day earlier than needing a recharge.
Winner: iPhone 17e
Verdict
Firstly, in case you personal the iPhone 16e then we’d argue there’s little or no purpose to improve to the iPhone 17e. Though Apple has made a couple of tweaks, general the variations are negligible to essentially warrant splurging on the newer mannequin.
Nonetheless, in case you’re coming from an older iPhone and need an affordable technique to improve to a more recent iteration, then the iPhone 17e is a superb possibility. Not solely will you profit from a speedy chip, however the digicam is strong and Apple Intelligence is current too.
Having stated that, in case your funds is admittedly tight, then the iPhone 16e continues to be a terrific possibility. Not solely will you continue to profit from a good chip, Apple Intelligence help and a strong digicam, however you may as well choose the telephone up with a hefty value drop.
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