Apple Announces iPhone 17e: ‘Stunning’ value

Kaiann Drance, Apple’s voice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, said the low cost alternative “combines powerful performance and features our customers love at an exceptional value”.

“We know our customers want a product that will last, and iPhone 17e delivers just that. With A19 for incredible performance, double the entry storage, a smarter camera system, and enhanced durability, iPhone 17e is designed to stay fast, secure, and valuable for years to come,”the company posted in a press release.

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The cult brand is set to release pre-orders for the new iPhone 17e this Wednesday, before shoppers can snag the device in-stores next week from 11 March.

Here are a few highlights to expect with the newest addition to the iPhone 17 line-up.

Fast, powerful and durable design

Now available in Soft Pink, the iPhone 17e will once again boast a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display – but this time users will get same Ceramic Shield 2 front loaded onto other iPhone 17 models. It’s a mega upgrade from the iPhone 16e, according to Apple, offering supposedly three times better scratch resistance and anti-reflection than the previous generation.

For those wanting a powerhouse device, the 17e will inherit the latest A19 chip from the recent flagship series to help get tasks done faster. The smartphone also welcomes Apple’s new C1X cellular modem, allowing the device to work twice as fast as the iPhone 16e while maintaining all-day battery life.

MagSafe makes a comeback

Worried about wireless charging? After a brief hiatus with the iPhone 16e, wireless charging enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief with MagSafe and Qi2 support (up to 15W) back in action.

Stunning camera

Opting for the budget series doesn’t have to mean sacrificing great photos and videos. The iPhone 17e can still take great shots with the 48MP Fusion camera, which will actually allow optical-quality 2x Telephoto zoom so it’s like getting two cameras in one.

Portrait mode has also been upgraded to provide “remarkably natural depth and smooth bokeh” – aka those ‘fancy’ portraits where the background is blurred while your friend continues to look sharp. You’ll even be able to adjust the focus later in the Photos app.

iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence

Aside from snapping gorgeous pictures, here are a few fun and handy features to explore.

• Visual Intelligence: Search, ask questions and perform actions based on what you’re seeing on screen.

• Live Translation: Translate messages and calls, even if you’re using AirPods or FaceTime.

• Call Screening: Ask unknown callers why they’re ringing and avoid those annoying scam calls.

• Messages: You can now also screen messagers from unknown senders by filtering them in a separate folder, so they won’t get jumbled with important texts.

• Hold Assist: Don’t waste time on hold and let your smartphone do it for you.

How much will the Apple iPhone 17e cost in Australia?

The starting price will start from $999, similar to its predecessor, but will now come with 256GB of storage instead of 128GB.You can choose from three colours, including black, white or soft pink.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 17e kick off this Thursday on 5 March, and will become more widely available in-stores from next Wednesday, 11 March.

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Tahnee-Jae Lopez-VitoSenior Shopping Writer

Tahnee-Jae has years of reviewing experience, specialising in all the appliances and products that can help improve your home and life. From finding the best budget sheets to the mattresses that can help you get a better night’s sleep, she does all of the research to save you time and money.
She previously worked as a content producer for one of Australia’s top comparison sites Canstar Blue, where she spent her days learning what Australian shoppers really think by translating detailed national survey data into hundreds of highly respected consumer ratings – helping shed light on how well brands offer value for money and more.
Armed with a Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the Queensland University of Technology, she knows that detail matters and is dedicated to creating in-depth shopping guides to help you find the right product.