Apple Unveils iPhone 17e: An Affordable Entry into the World of Artificial Intelligence

Apple officially announced the iPhone 17e, the newest and most affordable model in its 2026 smartphone lineup. The new iPhone is designed to serve as an entry point into the Apple Intelligence ecosystem for those who don't require the fancy cameras of the Pro models. Externally, the device closely resembles its predecessor, but under the hood, it hides a number of important upgrades.

The smartphone features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a peak brightness of 1200 nits. The front panel is protected by improved Ceramic Shield 2 glass, which promises improved scratch resistance and reduced glare. The aluminum body retains IP68 water and dust resistance. The volume rocker has been replaced by a customizable Action Button, and Face ID remains the standard for unlocking.

The main innovation is hidden inside. The iPhone 17e features the new Apple A19 processor, manufactured using a 3-nanometer process. A six-core CPU, paired with quad-core graphics supporting hardware ray tracing and a 16-core neural engine, powers all Apple Intelligence features. The chip debuted with Apple's proprietary C1X modem, which, according to the company, is almost twice as fast as its predecessor while consuming less power, guaranteeing a full day of battery life.

The camera system features a 48-megapixel main sensor. It can shoot in 24- and 48-megapixel resolutions, offers 2x lossless zoom, and records 4K Dolby Vision video at up to 60 frames per second. Depth-preserving technology allows you to change the point of focus after shooting.

The smartphone supports fast wired charging up to 29W, reaching 50 percent charge in about half an hour, as well as wireless MagSafe and Qi2 charging up to 15W. Three colors are available: black, white, and a new light pink. The entry-level version with 256 GB of storage is priced at $599, while the higher-end version with 512 GB costs $799. Pre-orders begin on March 4, and the device will be available on March 11.