Apple's new iPhone 17e arrives at $599, keeping the iPhone 14's design with its notch but adding key modern features. The most meaningful upgrade is the inclusion of MagSafe, enabling 15W wireless charging and full accessory compatibility—a major fix from the iPhone 16e. A light pink color joins the palette, and Ceramic Shield 2 improves scratch resistance.

Under the hood, the phone runs the same A19 chip as the flagship iPhone 17, though with one fewer GPU core. Base storage doubles to 256GB at no extra cost, a tangible value boost. The performance leap is substantial only for users coming from much older models like an iPhone 11 or earlier.

The compromises are deliberate. You still get a single-lens camera, no 120Hz ProMotion display, and the aging notch design. This isn't the iPhone for spec enthusiasts, but for budget buyers who prioritize core performance and MagSafe convenience over multiple cameras and the latest display tech, it's a sharply focused and excellent deal.