iPhone 17e Review: Unboxing, First Impressions & Comparison

This is the new budget smartphone coming from Apple, called the iPhone 17e. Apple calls it a budget smartphone, but when you look at the price, it’s not really budget for everyone.

This phone has already gone on sale, so if you want, you can buy it now. The price of this phone is ₹64,900. If we compare it with last year’s iPhone 16, the price has increased by about ₹5,000. Last year, the iPhone 16 launched at ₹59,900, but that was the 128GB model. This one comes with 256GB storage and 8GB RAM, so it also supports Apple Intelligence features.

If we compare the iPhone 16 256GB model, which launched at ₹69,900, this new iPhone 17e at ₹64,900 is actually ₹5,000 cheaper. In this review, we take a closer look at the phone and see how it performs. At the end, we will also explain whether you should buy iPhone 16 or iPhone 17e, because both are available around the same price and many people may be confused.

First, we check the unboxing. Here is the iPhone 17e box, and Apple has also provided a silicone case for the iPhone 17e. This case supports MagSafe, which is actually a plus point. The iPhone 16 did not have MagSafe support, but the iPhone 17e does. Because of this, you can use MagSafe accessories and wireless chargers easily.

Opening the box is very easy. Apple designs its packaging so that you don’t even need a knife to open it. Once the box is opened, the first thing we see is the phone itself. Earlier Apple used plastic wrapping, but now they use paper packaging, which is better for the environment, although the unboxing feel is slightly different. This is the black color iPhone 17e.

Inside the box, we also get a SIM ejector pin, a Type-C to Type-C braided cable, and some documentation with a QR code. Instead of printed manuals, Apple now provides a QR code that you can scan to read the documents online. Next, we check the silicone MagSafe case. The price of this case is ₹4,900. The build quality is good. When the phone is placed inside the case, it looks pretty nice.

Here are the specifications of the phone. The display is a 6.1-inch OLED panel with a 60Hz refresh rate. The processor is the Apple A19 chip. On the back, there is a 48MP camera, and on the front, there is a 12MP selfie camera.

The phone runs on iOS 26. The battery is around 4000mAh, with 20W fast charging support and 15W wireless charging.

When compared with the iPhone 16, there are a few changes. Last time we had Ceramic Shield protection, but this time Apple has introduced Ceramic Shield 2, which offers slightly improved protection. The processor has changed from A18 to A19.

Another big change is the base storage, which has increased from 128GB to 256GB. Also, earlier the wireless charging was 7.5W Qi charging, but now it supports MagSafe with up to 15W wireless charging. So the major difference between iPhone 16 and iPhone 17e is the MagSafe support.

In terms of design, there are basically no major changes. According to leaks and rumors, the expectation was for Dynamic Island, but that is not present here. Instead, Apple is still using the old notch design, just like the iPhone 16.

The phone still has a single rear camera. There were expectations that Apple might add another camera in this generation, but that didn’t happen. The frame is still aluminum, and the front and back are made of glass. The build quality feels premium when you hold it.

The display is still a 6.1-inch OLED panel with a 60Hz refresh rate. Many expected Apple to bring 120Hz, since the iPhone 17 models already have it, but this phone still uses 60Hz. The display is good for general usage, but if you have already used a 120Hz display, the difference is very noticeable. Apple calls its 120Hz display ProMotion, and that experience is definitely smoother.

The phone is powered by the A19 chip, the same processor used in the iPhone 17. However, there is a small difference in the GPU. iPhone 17 has a 5-core GPU, while the iPhone 17e (budget model) has a 4-core GPU. So there is a small performance difference.

Games like BGMI or Call of Duty can still be played easily, but since the display is 60Hz, the phone can deliver around 60 FPS. The phone is also slightly smaller, with a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 17 comes with a 6.3-inch display.

In terms of cameras, there are no major changes compared to iPhone 16. The phone still comes with a 48MP rear camera and a 12MP front camera. The front camera is not extremely impressive, especially in low light. In daylight with good lighting, it performs well.

The rear camera is quite good, and 4K video recording at 60fps is supported from both the front and rear cameras.

The battery life is actually a strong point of this phone. It comes with around a 4000mAh battery, while the iPhone 17 has around 3692mAh. Because the display is only 60Hz, the battery life is slightly better. Around 1 hour more screen-on time can be expected compared to the iPhone 17.

Charging supports 20W fast charging, and it takes about 1.5 hours to fully charge.

The phone runs on iOS 26, and Apple’s software experience is well known for being smooth. It includes all necessary sensors like Gyroscope, Magnetometer, and NFC. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB-C (USB 2 speeds). Face ID is also present and works reliably.

When compared with the iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 costs around ₹77,000 with offers. Adding ₹10,000–₹15,000 more makes the iPhone 17 a better option. This is because the iPhone 17 offers a 120Hz ProMotion display, Dual cameras (48MP main + 48MP ultrawide), and an 18MP front camera.

It also supports Center Stage, Macro photography, Spatial photos, Cinematic mode, Action mode, Dual capture, Ultra-wideband chip, and Bluetooth 6. Overall, the iPhone 17 offers many more features. The only advantage of this phone is slightly better battery life.

If you plan to buy an iPhone right now with a ₹60,000–₹70,000 budget, it may be better to wait for sale events like the Dasara sale. During those sales, the iPhone 17 may become cheaper, making it the better option.

Overall, skipping both iPhone 16 and this budget iPhone 17e and saving a little more money for the regular iPhone 17 may be the better choice.