Apple's iPhone 17e faces an uphill battle at its $600 price point, according to a recent poll where only 10% of voters said they'd buy it outright. The poll revealed that 30% of respondents aren't interested in an iPhone at all, while another 30% are looking for more premium models. With a chunky notch and 60Hz display, the 17e feels like it should cost less than its asking price.

Storage options help justify the cost somewhat, with 256GB standard on the base model. However, the single rear camera using Apple's less capable wide lens has drawn criticism from potential buyers. Some see it as a phone for children or elderly users, but even that demographic might be better served by cheaper Android alternatives. The green bubble stigma has largely faded thanks to RCS adoption across platforms.

The biggest challenge for the iPhone 17e is its proximity to the standard iPhone 17, which costs just $200 more but offers significantly better specifications across the board. For consumers already considering a $600 investment, stretching to $800 for a substantially superior device seems like a logical choice. Apple's decision to discontinue 256GB iPhone 16 models has also complicated matters for buyers seeking older, discounted options.