iPhone 17e launch: Price in India, full specifications, top features and how it compares to iPhone 17
Apple has launched the iPhone 17e in India as the most affordable model in the iPhone 17 line-up, bringing the new A19 chip, a 48MP camera and MagSafe at a low starting price of Rs 64,900. It leaves out some of the premium features of the iPhone 17, but still aims to deliver the core iPhone experience at a lower price.
Apple last night expanded its iPhone 17 series and unveiled the iPhone 17e. Like its predecessor, the iPhone 17e is positioned as the most affordable variant in the line-up. The new model brings some significant upgrades to the chipset, camera quality and display, targeting customers who want the classic iPhone experience at a lower price with better longevity. The all-new iPhone 17e features the latest A19 chip, a 48-megapixel camera, and MagSafe support.
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In India, the price of iPhone 17e starts at Rs 64,900 for the 256GB variant, while the 512GB model is priced at Rs 84,900. The iPhone 17e will be available for pre-order from March 4, with sales starting from March 11. The device has been launched in three color options: black, white and soft pink, all with a matte finish. In comparison, the iPhone 17 price starts at Rs 82,900 and comes in a wide range of colors and storage options.
Let’s take a look at what the iPhone 17e offers and how it differs from the standard iPhone 17.
iPhone 17e: Display, performance and design
The iPhone 17e features a 6.1-inch OLED display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate and a notch design. Although it omits the 120Hz ProMotion panel and Dynamic Island seen on the iPhone 17, Apple is presenting it as a balanced option for everyday users.
Under the hood, the phone runs on Apple’s latest A19 chip built on a 3nm process. However, the 17e version comes with a 4-core GPU compared to the 5-core GPU on the iPhone 17. In practical terms, this means both phones offer similar overall performance, but the standard model may have a slight edge in high-end gaming and graphics-heavy tasks. The iPhone 17e comes with 8GB of RAM, while the iPhone 17 offers 12GB of RAM.
Apple has also introduced its new C1X 5G modem on the iPhone 17e. For connectivity, iPhone 17e includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. The iPhone 17, on the other hand, supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and mmWave 5G in select markets, giving it faster theoretical speeds.
Design-wise, both phones feature an aluminum frame and glass back with IP68 water and dust resistance. The iPhone 17e retains a notch, while the iPhone 17 gets a more modern Dynamic Island interface.
iPhone 17e vs iPhone 17: Camera capabilities
On the rear, the iPhone 17e sports a 48-megapixel Fusion camera with f/1.6 aperture and optical image stabilization. It supports 2x telephoto crop, night mode, and 4K Dolby Vision video recording at up to 60fps.
Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 17 moves forward with a dual 48-megapixel setup, featuring a main sensor and an ultra-wide lens. This gives users more flexibility, especially for landscape shots and group photos.
On the front, the iPhone 17e sports a 12-megapixel TrueDepth camera, while the iPhone 17 sports an advanced 18-megapixel front camera with Center Stage support.
iPhone 17e vs iPhone 17: Battery and charging
Apple claims up to 26 hours of video playback on the iPhone 17e. The iPhone 17 increases this to 30 hours. Charging speeds also vary. The 17e supports 20W wired and 15W MagSafe charging, while the iPhone 17 supports faster 40W wired and 25W MagSafe charging.
Overall the biggest differences between the affordable iPhone 17e and the standard iPhone 17 come in display quality, camera flexibility, RAM, connectivity, and charging speeds. The iPhone 17 gets a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, more RAM, a dual-camera system, and faster wireless standards. Meanwhile, the 17e focuses on delivering core flagship performance at a lower price.