The first wave of iPhone 17e reviews call it an improved budget smartphone, thanks to better performance and MagSafe.
One week after the launch of the iPhone 17e, the first reviews of the budget iPhone have started to surface. As usual, it's a positive set for Apple's hardware.
The update to the iPhone 16e, the reviewers all pick up on the new model being better than the previous one, packing more processing power and gaining MagSafe charging.
It's the most budget-focused option in Apple's range, but also a serious consideration for those not wanting to overspend.
Engadget
Cherlynn Low for Engadget immediately hones in on the major changes for this generation, including the A19 chip, more storage, improved Portrait shots, and MagSafe. The new pink color option adds an extra splash of color to a monochromatic lineup.
The A19's neural accelerators are supposed to make AI processes faster, but the differences at this early stage are "negligible at best." The iPhone 17e is a split-second faster at identifying objects and deleting them in Photos than the 16e, but in some cases, it was more a neck-and-neck scenario.
MagSafe's addition doubles the wireless charging capabilities. Also, those who invest in MagSafe accessories should find them "convenient and satisfying" to use.
While there are virtually no other differences between the e-generation devices, the extra storage is very much appreciated.
The iPhone 17e is a "solid entry-level handset" for those wanting a simple path into the Apple ecosystem. It scores 80 out of 100.
The Verge
In the review from The Verge, Allison Johnson points to an inconvenient truth about the iPhone 17e. The iPhone 17 exists, is $200 more expensive, and that consumers should aim to buy that instead.
That said, Apple has righted some of the wrongs of the iPhone 16e. The iPhone 17e's storage bump and the inclusion of MagSafe are corrections that help the model, especially since it's priced the same despite the ongoing memory crisis.
iPhone 17e's rear camera
But, the lack of an always-on display, the iPhone 17 gaining ProMotion, and the price difference makes the iPhone 17e a bit of a hard sell. The smaller main camera sensor on the back versus the iPhone 17's version is also a problem for photographers, but probably not a dealbreaker.
The iPhone 17e will be viewed by people as the cheapest new iPhone they can buy, the report believes. But the iPhone 17 is the better buy.
It issues a score of 7 out of 10.
CNET
Abrar Al-Heeti's review-in-progress for CNET starts off with love for MagSafe's haptic feedback. Snapping accessories to the back was satisfying, and the improved charging helped too, even if it's not quite the 25-watt experience of the iPhone 17.
While it is a slightly neutered chip inside the iPhone 17e versus the A19 in the iPhone 17, the reviewer had to occasionally double-check if they were reaching for the right iPhone. It is apparently a good sign that the gap between the two models is narrowing and going in the right direction.
There are still some elements that remind users that they get what they pay for. The thicker bezels, the display notch, the lack of ProMotion all point to it being the cheapest iPhone model on the roster.
The lack of an ultrawide camera on the back feels "limiting," due to making it harder to capture landscapes and wider scenes. That said, if given the choice of an ultrawide or a telephoto lens, the latter's the better option.
The iPhone 17e ultimately brings subtle changes to the format, and it certainly has trade-offs, but nothing someone upgrading from an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 will really notice.
TechRadar
The iPhone 17e is not a reinvention of the budget iPhone, but it is still a meaningful redefinition of the formula brought about by the iPhone 16e, reasons Jacob Krol for TechRadar.
The soft pink color option adds freshness, but the A19 change and the increased base storage are bigger under-the-hood upgrades. All while maintaining the pricing of the iPhone 16e.
There are still compromises in buying this model over others, such as the display refresh rate and the rear camera. But, for anyone wanting a modern iPhone without breaking the bank, the iPhone 17e "delivers exactly that."
Overall, the iPhone 17e scores four out of five stars.
