The iPhone 17e went on sale on March 11, 2026 at $599, replacing the 16e as Apple's cheapest new phone. Six months later, on September 9, its price rose to $699 (£699, €869 in France). It is still the least expensive new iPhone Apple sells, and the only one we would recommend under $800.
The specs
| Spec | iPhone 17e |
|---|---|
| Screen | 6.1-inch OLED |
| Chip | A19 (6-core CPU, 4-core GPU), C1X modem |
| Rear camera | One 48 MP Fusion camera, 2x optical-quality crop, digital zoom up to 10x |
| Front camera | 12 MP |
| Video playback | Up to 26 hours |
| Charging | MagSafe up to 15 W |
| Buttons | Action button, no Camera Control |
| Weight | 169 g |
| Storage | 256 GB ($699) or 512 GB ($899) |
Where the savings come from
Against the iPhone 17, $200 more, the 17e gives up:
- The 120 Hz ProMotion screen and the always-on display. Its 6.1-inch OLED is smaller and Apple lists no high refresh rate.
- The ultra wide camera, and with it macro shots and wide group photos.
- A GPU core (four instead of five) and the Camera Control button.
- Four hours of battery (26 against 30) and faster charging (MagSafe at 15 W instead of 25 W).
- The 18 MP front camera. The 17e's is 12 MP.
What it keeps matters more: the same A19 generation of chip as the 17, a good sign for how long it will keep receiving iOS updates, and 256 GB of storage as standard.
17e or a used 17?
Worth asking. In the US, Apple's own refurbished store does not yet list the iPhone 17, but it sold a refurbished iPhone 16 with 256 GB for $739 in October 2026, close to the 17e's price, with two cameras and a 6.1-inch screen. We would still pick the new 17e: newer chip, longer battery life in Apple's figures (26 hours against 22), the full warranty. More in new vs refurbished.
Prices
| Store | 256 GB | 512 GB |
|---|---|---|
| Apple US (before tax) | $699 | $899 |
| Apple UK | £699 | £899 |
| Apple France | €869 | €1,119 |
| Apple Germany | €849 | €1,099 |
In France, the 17e cost €719 at launch and €869 since September 2026. Retail prices below Apple's list are common on entry models; the iPhone 17e price tracker for the French market shows how far they go.
Quick answers
What is the cheapest new iPhone in 2026?
The iPhone 17e, at $699 in the US (256 GB), £699 in the UK and €869 in France, since the September 9, 2026 price rise.
Does the iPhone 17e have 120 Hz?
Apple's specifications list no ProMotion or high refresh rate for the 17e. The iPhone 17, Air and 18 Pro have 120 Hz screens.
Is the iPhone 17e good for photos?
Yes, for everyday photos: its single 48 MP camera is sharp and offers a 2x crop. It has no ultra wide lens, so no wide-angle or macro shots.
