Pocket-friendly yet equipped with the essential features iPhones are known for — that remains the secret sauce of the new iPhone 17e. Available in 256GB and 512GB storage variants, Apple’s latest smartphone starts at Rs 64,900.
At the heart of the device is the A19 chip, which is also found in the iPhone 17. Needless to say, there is support for Apple Intelligence. The A19 processor is built on a 3-nanometre architecture and features a six-core CPU, a four-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine. Apple says the CPU is up to twice as fast as that of the iPhone 11, while the GPU supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing for more advanced mobile gaming.
One of the most notable updates over the previous budget iPhone is the addition of MagSafe and Qi2, supporting wireless charging of up to 15W. The iPhone 17e also comes with C1X, the company’s latest-generation cellular modem, which Apple says is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e and uses 30 per cent less energy.
The device also features a 48-megapixel main camera, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display and satellite-based connectivity options for use beyond conventional mobile and Wi-Fi coverage.
It follows the flat-edged design language of recent models, with an aerospace-grade aluminium enclosure and an IP68 rating for splash, water and dust resistance. Apple says the new Ceramic Shield 2 front cover offers three times better scratch resistance than the previous generation, along with improved anti-reflective properties to reduce glare.
The 6.1-inch OLED display supports Dolby Vision playback and reaches up to 1,200 nits of peak HDR brightness. Face ID is built in for biometric authentication, and the customisable Action button — introduced in higher-tier models in recent years — makes its way to the 17e, allowing users to assign shortcuts such as the torch and other frequently used tools.
The 48MP Fusion camera enables an optical-quality 2x telephoto option, effectively giving users two cameras in one so they can get closer to the subject and frame their shots more easily. Users can shoot sharp photos at up to 48MP resolution or capture images at the default 24MP setting, which offers excellent image quality at a more manageable file size for storing and sharing.
Portrait mode has been updated with an improved image pipeline, and the system automatically captures depth data when it detects people, dogs or cats, allowing background blur and focus adjustments to be applied after the photo is taken.
Video recording supports 4K resolution with Dolby Vision at up to 60 frames per second. The device can also capture Spatial Audio and includes wind noise reduction, along with machine-learning-based audio processing tools.
Safety features
The iPhone 17e ships with iOS 26, which features a redesigned interface called Liquid Glass. The update also expands Apple Intelligence capabilities, including Live Translation across Messages, FaceTime and Phone, as well as on-screen visual intelligence that allows users to search for or act on content displayed on their device.
New call management tools include Call Screening for unknown numbers and Hold Assist, which stays on the line until a live agent becomes available. Messages from unknown senders can be filtered into a separate folder.
iPhone 17e is open for pre-order, with availability starting March 11.
