Apple iPhone 17e

♡

14th best phone of 2026 (~$599)

GSMCritic Take: With its fast A19 processor, generous 256GB storage, and long-lasting battery, this phone handles daily tasks smoothly, though its 60Hz display and single rear camera limit the multimedia experience.

6.1-inch

169g

7.8mm

20W

waterproof

Click to open full specs on GSMArena.com:

* Screen covers 86% of body.

Reviews

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Last update: 2026-03-12

Pros

Camera

Strong Photo Quality: The single rear camera is capable of producing sharp photos, great images, and improved portrait photography with solid overall image quality.

Performance

A19 Processor Performance: The A19 processor is characterized as fast, solid, and superb, delivering strong responsiveness and performance.

Design

Compact Design: The device is described as a lovely, comfortably small phone with a notably compact physical form.

Vibrant Durable Display: The screen is described as vibrant and visually pleasing, and its durability has been improved.

Battery

Excellent Battery Life: Battery endurance is described as long-lasting and dependable, providing reliable all-day use with brilliant longevity.

MagSafe Support: Built-in magnets add MagSafe compatibility, enabling MagSafe accessories and faster wireless charging.

Storage

256GB Base Storage: The base configuration starts at 256GB, doubling the previous entry-level capacity while keeping the same price.

Other

Pink Color Option: A new soft pink finish is offered and is described as a particularly attractive addition.

Cons

Camera

Single Rear Camera System: The phone relies on a lone rear camera sensor without an ultrawide or additional lenses, creating a constrained camera setup.

Basic Front Camera Hardware: The device lacks the clever front-camera capabilities associated with the iPhone 17 and does not include an upgraded selfie camera.

No Camera Control Button: The phone does not include a dedicated Camera Control hardware button.

Design

No Major Design Changes: The overall design does not meaningfully diverge from previous models and lacks significant design revisions.

Display

Limited Display Features: The display is capped at 60Hz, does not reach 120Hz class refresh rates, and lacks always-on display functionality, making it feel somewhat dated.

Battery

Slow Wired Charging: Wired charging speed is limited to 20W, capping the maximum charging performance.

Connectivity

Older Wireless Connectivity: The device relies on older Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios and also omits an ultra-wideband chip.

Rankings

The Best Phone Of 2026: #14

The Largest Screen Size Of 2026: #16

The Smallest Screen Size Of 2026: #1

The Lightest Phone Of 2026: #2

The Thinnest Phone Of 2026: #5

The Fastest Charging Speed Of 2026: #16

The Highest Screen To Body Ratio Of 2026: #16

The Cheapest Phone Of 2026: #10