iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 17: I compared the two models to decide which has the better value

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On March 4, Apple held its first major launch event of 2026 in New York, unveiling several new devices, from the MacBook Neo to the focus of this piece: the iPhone 17e. This is the latest midrange iPhone from the tech giant, designed to be a more affordable alternative to the base iPhone 17.

Also: Everything Apple just announced: The $599 MacBook Neo, M5 Pro, iPhone 17e, and more

The two smartphones have a lot in common. Both run on Apple's A19 chip, start with 256GB of storage, and even share a similar form factor. They're also pretty hardy devices, with an IP68 resistance rating. But key differences make them fundamentally different phones. One model may be a better fit for you depending on your personal needs. Don't worry if you ...