Apple surprises fans with the iPhone 17e: £599 ‘budget’ smartphone has TWICE the storage of the 16e – and comes in a stunning soft pink shade
Apple has surprised fans with a new iPhone, called the iPhone 17e.
The tech giant usually hosts elaborate launch events at its Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California.
However, it skipped the fanfare this year, simply announcing the device via a post on its newsroom.
At £599 (and sold for $599 in the US), the iPhone 17e is the same price as its predecessor, the 16e, but comes with twice the amount of storage.
There’s also a stunning new ‘soft pink’ colour option, which is bound to be a hit with the Instagram generation.
‘iPhone 17e combines powerful performance and features our users love at an exceptional value, making it a compelling option for customers looking to upgrade to the iPhone 17 family,’ said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice-president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing.
‘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.’
At £599 ($599 in the US), the iPhone 17e is the same price as last year’s iPhone 16e – but comes with twice the amount of storage
The iPhone 17e features Apple’s latest–generation A19 chip, which delivers ‘exceptional performance’, according to Apple.
In terms of camera, the device has a 48MP Fusion camera, although Apple’s describes this as ‘two cameras in one’.
‘The 48MP Fusion camera enables an optical–quality 2x Telephoto, giving users two cameras in one so they can get closer to the subject and easily frame their shot,’ the tech giant explained.
‘Users can shoot sharp photos at up to 48MP resolution, or capture in the 24MP default for incredible image quality at a file size perfect for storing and sharing.’
One of the most exciting new features is support for MagSafe charging, which many fans were disappointed was missing on the iPhone 16e.
This not only enables fast wireless charging up to 15W but also opens the door to a range of new accessories, including chargers, wallets and camera accessories.
The iPhone 17e is available in three colours – black, white and a new soft pink – and in two storage options.
While last year’s device cost £599 (or $599 in the US) for 128GB, you’ll be able to get twice the storage for the same price this year – ideal if you’re always running out of space on your iPhone.
One of the most exciting new features is support for MagSafe charging, which many fans were disappointed was missing on the iPhone 16e. This not only allows for fast wireless charging up to 15W, but also opens the door to a range of new accessories, including chargers, wallets, and camera accessories
The new iPhone isn’t the only device Apple has announced today. The company also treated fans to a new iPad Air, powered by M4
Pre–orders don’t begin until Wednesday, with availability from Wednesday, March 11.
However, the announcement has already generated huge excitement across social media.
‘Slam dunk on that feature set and price point,’ one delighted fan wrote on X.
Another added: ‘Excellent value with the addition of MagSafe.’
And one said: ‘Wait, 256GB base storage for $599? If that’s real, Apple is finally listening.
‘The A19 chip in a budget model is actually insane value.’
The new iPhone isn’t the only device Apple has announced today.
The company also treated fans to a new iPad Air, powered by M4.
The new device is priced at £599 ($599 in the US) for the 11–inch model and £799 ($799 in the US) for the 13–inch model, and is also available for pre–order on March 4, with availability beginning March 11.
‘iPad Air gives users more ways than ever to be creative and productive, offering powerful performance and incredible versatility to help them turn their ideas into reality,’ said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice-president of worldwide product marketing.
‘With its blazing performance thanks to M4, incredible AI capabilities, and game-changing iPadOS 26 features, there’s never been a better time to choose or upgrade to iPad Air.’
THE TRILLION DOLLAR RISE OF APPLE
1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1 1976 as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.
The first product was the Apple I.
1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market.
Steve Jobs unveils Apple Computer Corporation’s new Macintosh in California on February 6, 1984
1981: Jobs became chairman.
1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.
1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.
1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000.
Steve Jobs, then-chief executive officer of Apple, with the iPhone
2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.
The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.
2007: Apple unveils the iPhone.
2010: The first iPad was unveiled.
2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Jobs died in October from pancreatic cancer.
2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones – the 6 and 6 Plus.
2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services.
2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California, with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device.
2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner’s face.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs speaks at an Apple event at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California
2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers.
2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.
2020: In March, Apple closes all its brick-and-mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus.
2021: In an online virtual event in April CEO Tim Cook declares Apple’s goal of becoming carbon neutral for Earth Day. Later in the year the iPhone 13 was announced.
2022: In September, the iPhone 14 was announced. One of the new features included a new sensor to detect if a user had been in a car crash as well as an improved camera system.
2023: Apple brings back its ‘Home Pod’ after the first generation was discontinued. The ‘Home Pod’ can be seen as an alternative to Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home, as it is powered by voice commands.
2024: Apple makes its first steps into artificial intelligence with the release of Apple Intelligence. The features are not all released at once, with many delayed until the following year.