March 2, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Apple Unveils iPhone 17e
The iPhone 17e offers remarkable value, boasting enhanced performance, an advanced camera system, superior durability, the convenience of MagSafe, and an impressive 256GB starting storage — double the previous entry-level capacity.
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA — Today, Apple officially announced the iPhone 17e, a potent yet more accessible new model joining the acclaimed iPhone 17 series. Powering the iPhone 17e is the cutting-edge A19 chip, delivering exceptional speed and efficiency for all user tasks. It also integrates C1X, Apple’s latest-generation cellular modem, which is up to twice as fast as the C1 found in the iPhone 16e. The sophisticated 48MP Fusion camera system captures breathtaking photos, including next-generation portraits, and records stunning 4K Dolby Vision video. It also enables an optical-quality 2x Telephoto zoom, effectively providing two cameras in one device. The expansive 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display is protected by Ceramic Shield 2, offering three times greater scratch resistance than its predecessor and significantly reduced glare.1 With MagSafe integration, users benefit from rapid wireless charging and seamless access to a wide array of accessories, from chargers to protective cases. Furthermore, for moments beyond cellular and Wi-Fi reach, Apple’s innovative satellite capabilities — including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My via satellite — ensure connectivity when it matters most.2
Available in a trio of elegant colors with a sophisticated matte finish — classic black, pristine white, and a beautiful new soft pink — the iPhone 17e will be ready for pre-orders starting Wednesday, March 4, with general availability commencing on Wednesday, March 11. The iPhone 17e starts with a generous 256GB of storage for $599 — an impressive doubling of the entry-level storage at the same price point as the previous generation, and four times more than the iPhone 12 — providing users ample room for high-resolution photographs, 4K videos, applications, games, and much more.
“The iPhone 17e brings together powerful performance and beloved features our customers value, all at an exceptional price point, making it an enticing upgrade for anyone looking to join the iPhone 17 family,” stated Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. “We understand our customers seek enduring products, and the iPhone 17e is engineered precisely for that. With the A19 chip for incredible speed, double the baseline storage, a smarter camera system, and enhanced durability, the iPhone 17e is designed to remain swift, secure, and valuable for years to come.”
Elegant Design, Enhanced Durability
iPhone devices consistently maintain their value longer than other smartphones,3 and the iPhone 17e is constructed for longevity. It features a robust yet lightweight design crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, and boasts splash, water, and dust resistance with an IP68 rating.4 The Ceramic Shield 2 front cover — a signature feature across the entire iPhone 17 lineup — offers unparalleled toughness compared to any other smartphone glass. An Apple-engineered coating further enhances its resilience, providing three times better scratch resistance than the previous generation and improved anti-reflection for reduced glare.
The Super Retina XDR display, powered by OLED technology, delivers an outstanding visual experience whether users are streaming videos in Dolby Vision or engaging in gaming. With peak HDR brightness reaching up to 1200 nits, content remains easily viewable even in bright outdoor conditions. Face ID offers a seamless and secure method to unlock the iPhone 17e, authorize purchases, sign into applications, and more. The versatile Action button allows users to instantly access their preferred features — such as the flashlight, visual intelligence capabilities, and other shortcuts — with a simple press.
Dynamic Performance and Outstanding Efficiency
The iPhone 17e is equipped with the state-of-the-art A19 chip, built on advanced 3-nanometer technology, delivering formidable performance. Its faster, more efficient 6-core CPU — up to twice as quick as the iPhone 11 — effortlessly handles everything from routine tasks like photo browsing to sophisticated Apple Intelligence features such as Clean Up. The 4-core GPU, complete with Neural Accelerators, unlocks console-quality gaming experiences on the go, supporting demanding AAA titles and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for hyper-realistic lighting and reflections. The upgraded 16-core Neural Engine is fine-tuned for large generative models and, combined with the Neural Accelerators integrated into each GPU, enables Apple Intelligence and other AI models to operate more rapidly than on the preceding generation.
Additionally, the iPhone 17e incorporates C1X, Apple’s newest cellular modem. The C1X delivers speeds up to twice as fast as the C1 in the iPhone 16e and matches the rapid performance of the iPhone Air. Critically, C1X consumes 30 percent less energy than the modem found in the iPhone 16 Pro, contributing significantly to its exceptional all-day battery endurance.
Superb Battery Life, Rapid Charging, and MagSafe Integration
The iPhone 17e provides outstanding all-day battery life, a testament to the efficiencies of Apple silicon, including the C1X cellular modem, and the advanced power management capabilities of iOS 26. With speedy wired charging via USB-C, the iPhone 17e can reach up to 50 percent charge in approximately 30 minutes.5 The iPhone 17e also supports MagSafe and Qi2 for fast wireless charging up to 15W, a significant upgrade from the 7.5W Qi wireless charging on the iPhone 16e. MagSafe chargers, stands, cases, wallets, camera accessories, and more effortlessly attach to the rear of the iPhone 17e, ensuring perfect alignment within a broad ecosystem of complementary accessories.
An Advanced Camera System to Chronicle Life’s Moments
The iPhone 17e captures stunning photographs with remarkable detail, even in challenging low-light conditions thanks to Night mode. Its 48MP Fusion camera system provides an optical-quality 2x Telephoto zoom, essentially giving users two cameras in one, allowing them to get closer to their subject and frame shots with ease. Users can capture incredibly sharp photos at full 48MP resolution, or opt for the 24MP default for superb image quality with a file size ideal for storage and sharing. Portrait mode sees significant enhancements thanks to an advanced image pipeline, delivering incredibly natural depth and a smooth bokeh effect that elegantly blurs backgrounds while keeping subjects crisply in focus. This advanced pipeline also powers next-generation portraits, enabling the iPhone 17e to recognize people, dogs, and cats, and automatically store depth information. This allows users to transform existing photos into beautiful portraits with adjustable background blur and to refine the focus point within the Photos app after capture. The latest generation of HDR accurately renders subjects with true-to-life skin tones and ensures brilliant highlights, rich midtones, and deep shadows across the entire image — all while preserving minute details.
The iPhone 17e records breathtaking videos, capable of 4K capture with Dolby Vision at up to 60 frames per second. It also supports Spatial Audio video recording for an immersive listening experience with AirPods or Apple Vision Pro, and introduces more versatile ways to edit video sound with Audio Mix. With advanced wind noise reduction, powerful machine learning algorithms automatically suppress unwanted environmental noise for superior audio clarity.
Pioneering Safety and Communication Features
The iPhone 17e empowers users to stay connected and secure crucial assistance when it’s most needed. Outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, users can send texts to friends and family using Messages via satellite; connect with emergency services through Emergency SOS via satellite; and summon roadside assistance providers with Roadside Assistance via satellite. The Find My app enables users to share their location via satellite, offering peace of mind to friends and family about their whereabouts when traveling off the grid. Crash Detection is designed to identify severe car accidents and automatically contact emergency services if a user is incapacitated or unable to reach their iPhone.6
iOS 26 and the Power of Apple Intelligence
The iPhone 17e comes pre-installed with iOS 26, introducing a beautiful new design, robust Apple Intelligence capabilities, and significant enhancements to the applications users rely on daily.7 The new design, featuring Liquid Glass, makes apps and system interactions more expressive and delightful, bringing greater focus to content while maintaining the familiar iOS experience and offering even more ways to personalize iPhone. Apple Intelligence allows users to bridge language barriers with Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, Phone, and with AirPods.8 Visual intelligence now extends to the iPhone screen itself, empowering users to search, ask questions, and take actions based on the content they are currently viewing.9 To help users minimize distractions, Call Screening can filter calls from unknown numbers and automatically inquire about the reason for calling, while Hold Assist can wait on the line until a live agent becomes available.10 In Messages, users can now opt to screen incoming messages from unknown senders by routing them to a dedicated folder, preventing clutter in their main conversation list.
iPhone 17e and Environmental Responsibility
Apple 2030 represents the company’s ambitious commitment to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire operational footprint by the end of this decade, primarily by reducing product emissions from its three main sources: materials, electricity, and transportation. The iPhone 17e incorporates 30 percent recycled content,11 including 85 percent recycled aluminum in its enclosure and 100 percent recycled cobalt in its battery. Its manufacturing process utilizes 55 percent renewable electricity, sourced from wind and solar power, throughout the supply chain. The iPhone 17e is engineered for durability, repairability, and also benefits from industry-leading software support, all while adhering to Apple’s stringent standards for energy efficiency and safe chemistry. The device’s paper packaging is entirely fiber-based and readily recyclable.12
Pricing and Availability Information
- The iPhone 17e will be offered in black, white, and soft pink, with storage options of 256GB and 512GB. Pricing begins at $599 (U.S.) or $24.95 (U.S.) per month for 24 months.13
- Apple provides excellent opportunities to save and upgrade to the newest iPhone models. Through various carrier offers, customers can receive up to $400 (U.S.) in credit when trading in an iPhone 11, or up to $599 (U.S.) in credit when trading in an iPhone 13, which can be applied towards an iPhone 17e. With Apple Trade In, customers can get up to $100 (U.S.) in credit for an iPhone 11 trade-in, or up to $195 (U.S.) in credit for an iPhone 13 trade-in. Attractive offers are also available for customers without a device to trade in. Customers can take advantage of these promotions by visiting the Apple Store online or any Apple Store location. For carrier offer eligibility criteria and further details, please visit apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/carrier-offers. To determine their device’s trade-in value and for Apple Trade In terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in.
- Customers in over 70 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Türkiye, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S., will be able to pre-order the iPhone 17e starting at 6:15 a.m. PST on Wednesday, March 4, with official availability commencing on Wednesday, March 11.
- Apple Intelligence is currently available in beta, supporting a wide range of languages including English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Japanese, and Korean. Please note that certain features may not be accessible in all regions or languages. For detailed feature and language availability, along with system requirements, refer to support.apple.com/en-us/121115.
- The iPhone 17e Silicone Case with MagSafe will be offered in six colors — black, anchor blue, light moss, vanilla, bright guava, and soft pink — at $49 (U.S.) and is compatible with the Crossbody Strap. The iPhone 17e Clear Case with MagSafe will also be available for $49 (U.S.).
- AppleCare provides outstanding service and support, with flexible options for Apple users. Customers can select AppleCare+ for comprehensive coverage of their new iPhone, or, within the U.S., opt for AppleCare One to protect multiple products under a single, streamlined plan. Both plans include protection against accidents like drops and spills, theft and loss coverage for eligible products, battery replacement services, and 24/7 access to support from Apple Experts. For more information, visit apple.com/applecare.
- iCloud+ plans begin at just $0.99 (U.S.) per month, offering expanded storage to securely keep photos, videos, files, and more in the cloud, accessible across all devices. iCloud+ also grants access to premium features such as event creation in the Apple Invites app, alongside Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domains, and HomeKit Secure Video. With Family Sharing, users can extend their subscription benefits to five other family members at no additional charge. For further details, visit apple.com/icloud.
- Customers who purchase an iPhone 17e may qualify for three complimentary months of Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, Apple News+, and Apple TV with a new subscription. Offer and service availability are subject to regional variations. For complete details, see apple.com/promo.
About Apple
Apple redefined personal technology with the debut of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple continues to lead global innovation with its iconic products, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six robust software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — ensure seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower individuals with groundbreaking services such as the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV. With a dedicated team of over 150,000 employees, Apple remains committed to creating the world’s finest products and striving to leave the planet in a better state than they found it.
- The display features gracefully rounded corners that align with a beautifully curved design, all contained within a standard rectangular frame. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen spans 6.06 inches diagonally. The actual viewable area is slightly smaller.
- Apple’s satellite-based features are provided free of charge for two years, commencing from the activation date of any new iPhone 14 or a subsequent model, and may not be available in all markets. For information on Emergency SOS via satellite availability, please visit support.apple.com/en-us/HT213426. For Messages via satellite availability, consult support.apple.com/en-us/120930. For Roadside Assistance via satellite availability, refer to support.apple.com/en-us/105098. Apple’s satellite services are designed for use in open environments with an unobstructed line of sight to the sky. Performance may be affected by obstructions such as dense foliage or surrounding structures.
- Data from FDM | CCS Insight, spanning from 2023 to mid-2025, comparing the average trade-in price of functional smartphones from leading brands across key markets.
- The iPhone 17e is rated as splash-, water-, and dust-resistant. It underwent testing under controlled laboratory conditions and achieved an IP68 rating according to IEC standard 60529 (permitting a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes). Splash, water, and dust resistance are not permanent characteristics; resistance may diminish over time with normal wear and tear. Do not attempt to charge a wet iPhone; please consult the user guide for proper cleaning and drying instructions. Liquid damage is not covered under warranty.
- A power adapter of 20W or higher is necessary for fast-charging the iPhone 17e.
- Crash Detection is engineered to recognize four-wheel passenger vehicle collisions with specific mass, G-force, and speed characteristics consistent with severe, life-threatening impacts. It is designed for severe, life-threatening, high-impact front and rear, side-swipe, T-bone, and rollover crashes. Crash Detection is globally available on iPhone 14 models or newer, Apple Watch Series 8 or newer, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra or newer.
- Features are subject to change. Certain features, applications, and services may not be available in all regions or languages. For comprehensive information on iOS 26, visit apple.com/os/ios.
- Live Translation in Messages supports English (U.S., UK), Dutch, French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain), Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Turkish, and Vietnamese. Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime, and with AirPods supports English (U.S., UK), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain), Chinese (Mandarin, simplified), and Chinese (Mandarin, traditional). Live Translation with AirPods functions on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation or AirPods Pro 2 and later, provided they have the latest firmware and are paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone.
- Visual intelligence capabilities are available on any Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. Some functionalities may not be offered in all languages and regions. For further details, refer to support.apple.com/en-us/121115#visual-intelligence.
- Call Screening supports Cantonese (China mainland, Hong Kong, Macao), English (U.S., Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Africa, UK), French (Canada, France), German (Germany), Japanese (Japan), Korean (Korea), Mandarin Chinese (China mainland, Taiwan, Macao), Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (U.S., Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain). Hold Assist supports English (U.S., Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, UK), French (France), Spanish (U.S., Mexico, Spain), German (Germany), Portuguese (Brazil), Japanese (Japan), and Mandarin Chinese (China mainland).
- Product recycled or renewable content refers to the mass of certified recycled material relative to the total mass of the device, excluding packaging or in-box accessories.
- Breakdown of U.S. retail packaging by weight. Apple’s calculations exclude adhesives, inks, and coatings.
- U.S. customers purchasing at Apple stores using Apple Card can opt for monthly payments at 0 percent APR by selecting Apple Card Monthly Installments at checkout, and will receive 3 percent Daily Cash back immediately. More information — including eligibility criteria, exclusions, and Apple Card terms — can be found at apple.com/apple-card/monthly-installments.
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