One week after the launch of the iPhone 17e, the first wave of reviews has begun to appear. As usual, Apple’s hardware continues to receive largely positive feedback from technology experts.

Most reviewers describe the device as a worthwhile upgrade over its predecessor, the iPhone 16e, highlighted by improved processing power and the addition of MagSafe wireless charging.

Even as the most affordable model in Apple’s lineup, the iPhone 17e remains a strong contender for users who want to enter the Apple ecosystem without spending excessively.

Engadget: A solid entry-level choice

Cherlynn Low from Engadget pointed to several notable upgrades in this generation, including the A19 chip, increased storage capacity, improved portrait photography mode and MagSafe charging.

The addition of a pink color option also brings a fresh touch to what was previously considered a rather muted color lineup.

Although the neural engines of the A19 chip are expected to handle AI tasks faster, the difference at this stage appears “barely noticeable.” According to the reviewer, the iPhone 17e is only marginally faster than the iPhone 16e when recognizing and removing objects in the Photos app, and in many cases both devices perform similarly.

However, MagSafe is considered a significant advantage, effectively doubling wireless charging capability. The increase in base storage capacity also receives strong praise.

Engadget awarded the iPhone 17e a score of 80 out of 100, calling it a “solid entry-level phone” for those looking to join the Apple ecosystem.

The Verge: Drawbacks in display and pricing

Allison Johnson from The Verge highlighted a less favorable reality: the iPhone 17 costs only US$200 more, making it a more attractive option for many consumers.

Although Apple addressed previous criticisms by increasing storage and adding MagSafe without raising the price despite the current memory supply pressures, the iPhone 17e still struggles to convince buyers.

The absence of an always-on display, while the iPhone 17 features ProMotion technology, further reduces its appeal. The price difference also weakens the value proposition of the cheaper model.

The smaller main camera sensor compared with the iPhone 17 is another limitation, particularly for photography enthusiasts.

The Verge rated the device 7 out of 10.

CNET: The gap narrows but remains clear

Abrar Al-Heeti from CNET was particularly impressed with the tactile response of MagSafe accessories. Attaching accessories to the back of the phone provides a satisfying physical experience, and wireless charging performance is improved, though it still falls short of the 25W capability of the iPhone 17.

Although the chip inside the iPhone 17e is a slightly trimmed-down version of the A19 used in the iPhone 17, the real-world experience is smooth enough that reviewers occasionally had to double-check which device they were holding.

However, the thicker display bezels, the notch design and the absence of ProMotion quickly remind users that they are holding the most affordable iPhone in Apple’s lineup.

The lack of an ultra-wide camera lens also makes landscape photography more challenging. On the other hand, the available telephoto lens is considered a strong addition.

CNET concluded that users currently using an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 would likely see the device as a worthwhile upgrade. For those already using the iPhone 16e, however, the incremental improvements may not be compelling enough.

TechRadar and PCMag: Meaningful core upgrades

Jacob Krol from TechRadar awarded the iPhone 17e four out of five stars. In his view, the device is not a revolutionary redesign but a meaningful refinement of the formula established by the iPhone 16e.

Although there are compromises in display refresh rate and rear camera capabilities, the phone still “perfectly meets” the needs of users who want a modern iPhone at a more affordable price.

Eric Zeman from PCMag echoed this sentiment, saying the US$599 price offers strong value. He particularly praised the performance of the A19 chip, the convenience of MagSafe and the computational photography capabilities.

Nevertheless, he maintained that spending an additional US$200 for the iPhone 17 remains worthwhile, thanks to its larger display, expanded features, additional camera and longer battery life.

WIRED: Still expensive for the specifications

Julian Chokkattu from WIRED offered a harsher assessment, describing the iPhone 17e as “overpriced” and criticizing Apple for limiting the display refresh rate to 60Hz.

Even so, he acknowledged that the phone still produces attractive photos within its limitations and remains a “perfectly fine” choice for buyers who want a brand-new basic iPhone rather than searching the second-hand market.

Du Lam