Apple fans have taken a bite out of iPhone17e hype.
Tech heads have ripped into Apple’s newly-released iPhone 17e, dubbing the $600 device a “robbery” that looks virtually identical to some of its predecessors.
Apple quietly released the state-of-the-art phone on March 2, although preorders began on March 4 while the device will be fully available on March 11, the tech firm reported.
Among notable features, including faster performance and enhanced durability, the iPhone 17e features twice as much storage as the 16E — 256GB versus 128GB — but for the exact same price of $599.
This increased capacity is attributed to the A19 chip, which was billed as offering a significant performance boost a compared to its predecessor’s A18. Plus, it comes in soft pink, in addition to the classic black and white options.
Nonetheless, these upgrades didn’t satisfy many Apple users, who claimed that the budget device didn’t offer much bang for their buck.
“iphone 17e?? this s–t looks like iphone 5” fumed one disillusioned user, while another declared, “This is insanity for $600.”
Many Apple-lovers bemoaned the fact that the 17e still uses a cut-out notch to obscure the single-lens camera and microphone rather than the preferred island.
“iPhone 17e is now official with big ass notch,” lamented one miffed commenter.
Meanwhile, some astute tech-sperts observed that the iPhone 17e’s display only boasts a 60Hz refresh rate – well short of the current 120 HZ standard.
However, one of the most infuriating aspects, per users, was that this so-called great value iteration isn’t that much cheaper than the iPhone 17.
“17 base model ticks all the boxes,” argued one critic. “With only [a] 200 dollar difference, I don’t think their existence is needed.”
One even labeled the iPhone 17 “great value for $800” and the iPhone 17e “the worst value for $600.”
However, the disappointment wasn’t universal, with one user claiming they were “loving Apple’s trend of making 256GB the base storage.”
“Just got my hands on the new iPhone 17e, and it’s incredible!” gushed another. “The design feels premium, and the camera upgrades are impressive. Can’t wait to see how it performs over time.”
Engadget contributor Rami Tabari praised the device’s budget-friendly price and pink hue, declaring he was “all for putting more color into tech.”
He also highlighted the 17e’s Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple claimed is three times as scratch-resistant as the 16e’s Ceramic Shield.
“Ideally, it’ll survive falls to the ground (within reason) and spare you a scratched-up display from casual wear and tear,” he said.
However, Tabari claimed that some of the other so-called differences were negligible. He decried the device’s limited uni-lens camera and claimed that most users wouldn’t be able to notice the performance bump afforded by the A19 chip.
He also said that the battery life hasn’t changed — even though the 17e can amass twice the wattage from wireless charging — and that there isn’t too much advancement in “terms of iOS and Apple Intelligence capability.”
“It’s relevant to note that you will likely get better performance out of the iPhone 17e with regards to AI features because of its superior A19 chip,” they wrote.
