Apple introduces AI-powered features with the new $599 iPhone 17e

Apple on Monday announced the newest addition to its more affordable iPhone lineup. The iPhone 17e is priced at $599 and is scheduled to launch on March 11.

The device is powered by the A19 chip found in the standard iPhone 17 and will support Apple Intelligence. The base version comes with 256 GB of storage, which Apple says is double the entry-level storage offered in the previous generation.

One of the biggest upgrades compared with the earlier budget iPhone is the inclusion of MagSafe and Qi2, enabling wireless charging at up to 15W.

The smartphone will be offered in black, white, and a new soft pink finish.

Apple also said the iPhone 17e includes the C1X, its newest-generation cellular modem, which the company says is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem used in the iPhone 16e while consuming 30% less power.

On the camera side, the iPhone 17e features the same 48-megapixel camera included in the iPhone 16e. Apple says the phone’s Fusion camera system delivers an optical-quality 2x Telephoto experience, effectively giving users two cameras in one so they can get closer to subjects and frame shots more easily.

The phone can record 4K video with Dolby Vision at up to 60 frames per second. It also supports Spatial Audio recording, allowing for a more immersive listening experience with AirPods or Apple Vision Pro.

The iPhone 17e comes with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display is protected by Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple says offers three times the scratch resistance of the previous generation.

The iPhone 17e also supports Emergency SOS via satellite, Roadside Assistance, and Find My.

Apple said the smartphone is made with 30% recycled materials, including 85% recycled aluminium in the enclosure and 100% recycled cobalt in the battery.