iPhone 17e Drops Next Week — Here's Who Should (and Shouldn't) Buy It

So Apple's Dropping Another 'Affordable' iPhone

Alright, here we go. Apple's about to launch the iPhone 17e on March 4, and my group chat hasn't shut up about it for the past two weeks. Half my friends are convinced it's the best deal in phones right now. The other half think it's just Apple reselling the same phone with a new chip.

I've been going back and forth on it myself. So I spent the weekend digging through every leak, every rumor, every spec sheet I could find — and I've got some thoughts.

Quick context if you're out of the loop: the iPhone 17e is Apple's "budget" iPhone. I put that in quotes because $599 and "budget" shouldn't be in the same sentence, but hey, this is Apple we're talking about. It's the follow-up to the iPhone 16e from last year, and it sits below the flagship iPhone 17 lineup.

The question everyone's asking: is it actually worth it this time?

What's Actually New (The Quick Version)

Let me just run through what Apple changed, because it's not a massive list.

**A19 chip.** This is the biggest deal. The iPhone 16e had the A18, and the 17e bumps up to the A19 built on TSMC's upgraded 3-nanometer process. In human terms — expect roughly 10% faster CPU performance and about 20% better graphics. Not earth-shattering, but not nothing either.

**MagSafe.** FINALLY. The iPhone 16e didn't have MagSafe, which was honestly bizarre. The 17e adds full MagSafe support with 20-25W wireless charging. If you've been eyeing those MagSafe accessories, you can actually use them now.

**Possibly a Dynamic Island.** This one's still in rumor territory, but multiple sources are saying the 17e will ditch the notch for the Dynamic Island. As of late February 2026, Apple hasn't confirmed this. I'm like 80% sure it's happening based on supply chain leaks, but don't quote me.

**New front camera.** 18MP Center Stage camera — same one from the iPhone 17 lineup. This actually matters a lot for FaceTime and video calls.

What DIDN'T change: still a single 48MP rear camera (no ultrawide), still a 6.1-inch OLED display, and the refresh rate is still apparently stuck at 60Hz. Yeah. In 2026. Sixty hertz. We'll come back to that.

Can We Talk About the 60Hz Screen?

I need to rant about this for a second because it genuinely bothers me.

Samsung's selling phones for $250 with 120Hz displays. OnePlus has had 120Hz on budget phones since like 2022. And Apple's sitting here putting a 60Hz screen on a $599 phone in 2026.

If you've never used a 120Hz display, you might not notice. But if you've spent any time with an iPhone 17 Pro, an iPad Pro, or honestly any mid-range Android from the last three years — going back to 60Hz feels rough. Everything looks slightly choppy. Scrolling isn't as smooth. Animations feel sluggish.

I used a friend's iPhone 16e for a week back in January, and the 60Hz screen was the thing that bugged me the most. It's not a dealbreaker exactly, but it is annoying when you know what you're missing.

My theory? Apple deliberately keeps the refresh rate low on the e-series to protect iPhone 17 Pro sales. Because if the budget phone had 120Hz, why would anyone pay $1,199 for the Pro? Makes business sense, but as a consumer — frustrating.

iPhone 16e Owners: Don't Bother

I'll save you some time here. If you already have an iPhone 16e and you're wondering if you should upgrade to the 17e — the answer is almost certainly no.

The improvements are real but incremental. A slightly faster chip, MagSafe (nice but not essential), maybe a Dynamic Island, a better selfie camera. None of that justifies spending $599 when your current phone works fine.

Unless your 16e is literally dying — cracked screen, terrible battery life, randomly shutting off — just wait. The iPhone 18e next year will probably be a much bigger leap. Or honestly, pick up a regular iPhone 17 which is already out and has 120Hz. The price difference isn't as massive as you'd think, especially with carrier deals.

Who Should ACTUALLY Buy This Phone

Okay so here's who the iPhone 17e makes sense for:

**People with an iPhone 12 or older.** If you're rocking an iPhone 11, 12, or anything from that era, the 17e is gonna feel like a massive upgrade. The chip alone is generations ahead, the camera is significantly better, and you'll finally have modern features like the Dynamic Island.

**Android switchers on a budget.** If you've been wanting to try iOS but couldn't justify flagship prices, $599 is — well, it's still not cheap. But it's the cheapest new iPhone you can get. And you'll get the full iOS experience: iMessage, AirDrop, FaceTime, the whole ecosystem lock-in thing Apple does so well.

**Parents buying for kids or grandparents.** I say this without any judgment — the iPhone e-series has always been the "I need a simple, reliable phone" option. Long software support, easy to use, no confusing camera array with seven lenses. My mom's been on an iPhone SE for years, and the 17e would be a perfect upgrade for her.

**Anyone who doesn't care about refresh rates.** Some people genuinely don't notice or care about 60Hz vs 120Hz. If that's you, the 17e gives you 95% of the iPhone experience for significantly less money.

The Elephant in the Room — Android Alternatives

Here's where Apple fans might get mad at me, but I have to say it.

For $599, you can get a Samsung Galaxy A56 or a Google Pixel 9a with 120Hz displays, similar camera quality, and honestly comparable day-to-day performance. At this price point, Android genuinely offers more hardware for your money.

But — and this is the big but — none of those phones run iOS. If you're in the Apple ecosystem (MacBook, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods), switching to Android for a budget phone is pretty painful. Everything just works together in Apple's world, and that ecosystem tax is real.

So it's not really about specs. It's about what you're already invested in. If you're deep into Apple, the iPhone 17e is your best option under a grand. If you're platform-agnostic, you've got better hardware options on the Android side.

My Honest Take

I'm not gonna tell you what to do with your money. But if a friend asked me "should I get the iPhone 17e?" here's what I'd say:

If your current phone is three years old or more and you're in the Apple ecosystem — yeah, go for it. It's a solid phone that'll last you four or five years with Apple's software support.

If you have a 16e or even a regular iPhone 15 or 16 — skip it. The jump isn't big enough.

And if you're buying your first smartphone in 2026, or helping someone else pick one, the iPhone 17e is genuinely a good starting point. Not perfect — that 60Hz screen is going to haunt Apple until they fix it — but good.

March 4 is right around the corner. I'll probably mess around with one at the Apple Store when it drops, and if anything surprises me I'll write an update. But based on everything we know right now? It's exactly what you'd expect from Apple's budget line — competent, slightly overpriced, and annoyingly close to being great.