Since September 9, 2026, the iPhone 17 costs $899 and the iPhone 17e $699, both with 256 GB. In the UK that is £899 against £699; in France €1,119 against €869, a €250 gap. Both use an A19 chip. What separates them is visible on the spec sheet, and most of it you will notice in use.
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone 17e |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Most people: the full screen and camera set for the least money | The cheapest new iPhone, for calls, messages and photos |
| Price from (US) | $899 | $699 |
| UK | £899 | £699 |
| France | €1,119 | €869 |
| Screen | 6.3-inch OLED, ProMotion up to 120 Hz, always-on | 6.1-inch OLED |
| Chip | A19 | A19 |
| Rear cameras | 48 MP main + 48 MP ultra wide | One 48 MP Fusion camera |
| Video playback | Up to 30 hours | Up to 26 hours |
| Weight | 177 g | 169 g |
| Storage | 256 or 512 GB | 256 or 512 GB |
| Released | September 2025 | March 2026 |
The five differences that matter
1. The screen
The 17 has a 6.3-inch ProMotion OLED that refreshes at up to 120 Hz and stays on, dimmed, when the phone is locked. The 17e has a 6.1-inch OLED, and Apple lists no high refresh rate for it. Side by side, scrolling on the 17 is visibly smoother. If you have never used a 120 Hz phone, you will not miss it; if you have, you will.
2. The second camera
The 17 adds a 48 MP ultra wide camera. That is what takes wide landscapes, group photos in small rooms and macro close-ups. The 17e has one 48 MP camera; both offer a 2x crop for portraits.
3. Battery and charging
Up to 30 hours of video playback on the 17, 26 on the 17e. The 17 also charges faster on MagSafe (25 W against 15 W).
4. The front camera
18 MP Center Stage on the 17, which keeps you framed in video calls and turns group selfies to landscape without rotating the phone. 12 MP on the 17e.
5. The little things
The 17 has the Camera Control button and a five-core GPU (four on the 17e). It weighs 177 g against 169 g.
Which one to buy
Buy the iPhone 17 if you keep phones for four years or more, take a lot of photos, or care about the screen. Spread over four years, $200 is about $4 a month for a noticeably better phone.
Buy the iPhone 17e if your phone is a tool for calls, messages, maps and the occasional photo, if it is a first iPhone or a phone for a child or a parent, or if $699 is already the top of your budget. It loses nothing in speed for everyday tasks.
Both were cheaper before September 2026 ($799 and $599). If a retailer or carrier offers either at its old price, that deal is worth taking.
Quick answers
What is the difference between the iPhone 17 and 17e?
The 17 has a 6.3-inch 120 Hz always-on screen, a second 48 MP ultra wide camera, an 18 MP front camera, 30 hours of video playback and faster MagSafe charging. The 17e has a 6.1-inch screen, one camera, a 12 MP front camera and 26 hours. Both have 256 GB.
Is the iPhone 17e worth it?
Yes, at $699, if you do not need the 120 Hz screen or the ultra wide camera. It is the cheapest new iPhone and shares the A19 chip family with the 17.
