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iPhone 17e iPhone 17 or iPhone 17e

pjschmid

pjschmid

macrumors member
Original poster
My hand-me-down iPhone 12 Pro Max is getting on and I was starting to look at what model I might upgrade to. I know some will say, but why would you go to a base iPhone 17 or 17e if you use a Pro Max. As I said it was a hand-me-down to save me from my iPhone X which was dying. So this is in truth more iPhone than I need. I have only used about 109 GB and it's telling me I have 26GB in unused apps so really quite a bit less actually used. I barely ever take pictures (maybe 10 in the last year since I moved to the 12). With this in mind I'm wondering if the additional cost of the base iPhone 17 makes sense. I know it's a better phone but as I look at it the main difference I see is the camera and I'm not sure it's worth it. Is there something else I'm missing?

I wanted to start looking now since it appears that everything is about to get more expensive with the shortage of memory haunting all of the computer industry right now.
 
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I guess u will be finde with the 17e. u can find on apples website iphone compare. This shows all the details
 
Based on your description, I think the 17e will suit your needs. There's only one factor that I think could sway you towards the 17 since your'e coming from a Pro Max sized phone - the screen. The 17's screen is simply nicer - it's brighter, it's slightly larger than the 17e, it's a little easier on the eyes at its default font size, so your daily interactions with it will feel closer to what you're used to on the 12 Pro Max (not even mentioning ProMotion which makes it feel a little smoother/faster). Given that you interact with the screen constantly on your phone, that could cause the 17 to be a bit more comfortable for you over the long run.

Also, if you keep your phones for 3-4 years, that $200 becomes a negligble cost.

But otherwise, it sounds like the 17e will be good for you.
 
For your needs the 17e would be absolutely fine, I have the 17 and its nice to have the extra camera and the pro-motion screen and the Dynamic Island but if you can live without those features you will save yourself the extra 200
 
pjschmid said:
My hand-me-down iPhone 12 Pro Max is getting on and I was starting to look at what model I might upgrade to. I know some will say, but why would you go to a base iPhone 17 or 17e if you use a Pro Max. As I said it was a hand-me-down to save me from my iPhone X which was dying. So this is in truth more iPhone than I need. I have only used about 109 GB and it's telling me I have 26GB in unused apps so really quite a bit less actually used. I barely ever take pictures (maybe 10 in the last year since I moved to the 12). With this in mind I'm wondering if the additional cost of the base iPhone 17 makes sense. I know it's a better phone but as I look at it the main difference I see is the camera and I'm not sure it's worth it. Is there something else I'm missing?

I wanted to start looking now since it appears that everything is about to get more expensive with the shortage of memory haunting all of the computer industry right now.
Click to expand...

yes the 120hz display makes the phone work faster, so that and the better camera , is been a while since you upgrade i would do the 17 (not the e)
 
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Homme said:
Definitely the 17e, also to add 17e’s battery capacity is 4005 mah compared to the 12 Pro’s one which is smaller

Click to expand...
I was never considering the Pro. Just on the fence between the regular 17 and the 17e. Still am wondering if I will miss the better camera and processor since I tend to keep my phones for a long time. I definitely want to get something in the 17 line as it appears the 18 will be something of a downgrade. That also is making me look more carefully at the 17. It's like it the best you will see at that price point and things are just going to cost more and be worse.
 
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I would vote for the 17e and save the money but that's just me. If you wanted the slightly bigger screen that might make the 17 worth it. You said you don't need the extra camera. I really don't see Pro Motion as anything special personally and if you never had it you probably won't care (I have it on my phone currently and I would never spend extra money to have it). The Dynamic Island is one of the things that would possibly sway me to the 17, but again, since you have never had that before you won't miss not having it if you get a 17e.

Did you end up making a decision?
 
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I would say just get the 17 from your posts it would probably be the best option you still retain some pro quality features on a cheaper iPhone!
 
Thank you for all your input. I ended up getting the 17e. I was really on the fence even up until I got to the store. I looked at the screen size and the screen behavior and in the end the difference in size was nearly imperceptible and only discernible when the two devices were right next to each other. In actual usage I couldn't tell them apart. I'm not picky enough to notice the difference in the pro-motion refresh rate. So what was left was the cameras and when I looked I had taken maybe 10 pictures in the last year so specialty camera features relay don't matter to me. I ended up getting $220 trade in for the old 12 Pro Max so with tax it brought the cost down to $409. It's so small and light and I'm really happy with it because it fits in the side pocket of my purse or a large wallet.
 
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pjschmid said:
Thank you for all your input. I ended up getting the 17e. I was really on the fence even up until I got to the store. I looked at the screen size and the screen behavior and in the end the difference in size was nearly imperceptible and only discernible when the two devices were right next to each other. In actual usage I couldn't tell them apart. I'm not picky enough to notice the difference in the pro-motion refresh rate. So what was left was the cameras and when I looked I had taken maybe 10 pictures in the last year so specialty camera features relay don't matter to me. I ended up getting $220 trade in for the old 12 Pro Max so with tax it brought the cost down to $409. It's so small and light and I'm really happy with it because it fits in the side pocket of my purse or a large wallet.
Click to expand...
Hey congrats 🎊 😁👍🏻
 
pjschmid said:
Thank you for all your input. I ended up getting the 17e. I was really on the fence even up until I got to the store. I looked at the screen size and the screen behavior and in the end the difference in size was nearly imperceptible and only discernible when the two devices were right next to each other. In actual usage I couldn't tell them apart. I'm not picky enough to notice the difference in the pro-motion refresh rate. So what was left was the cameras and when I looked I had taken maybe 10 pictures in the last year so specialty camera features relay don't matter to me. I ended up getting $220 trade in for the old 12 Pro Max so with tax it brought the cost down to $409. It's so small and light and I'm really happy with it because it fits in the side pocket of my purse or a large wallet.
Click to expand...

Good choice. I just bought a 256GB iPhone 17e last Friday to upgrade from a friends iPhone 12 64GB Model since he was so so close to using all that 64GB. The 17e is a very decent ratio of money relatively well spent for all of its features as well as MagSafe and Longevity ( and has a newer processor than even the 16 Pros as well). And another thing that make it even better than the 16 Pros is Ceramic Shield 2 and Anti Reflective Coating
 
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pjschmid said:
Thank you for all your input. I ended up getting the 17e. I was really on the fence even up until I got to the store. I looked at the screen size and the screen behavior and in the end the difference in size was nearly imperceptible and only discernible when the two devices were right next to each other. In actual usage I couldn't tell them apart. I'm not picky enough to notice the difference in the pro-motion refresh rate. So what was left was the cameras and when I looked I had taken maybe 10 pictures in the last year so specialty camera features relay don't matter to me. I ended up getting $220 trade in for the old 12 Pro Max so with tax it brought the cost down to $409. It's so small and light and I'm really happy with it because it fits in the side pocket of my purse or a large wallet.
Click to expand...
Great choice! As a 16e user, I know you'll be more than happy.
 
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pjschmid said:
My hand-me-down iPhone 12 Pro Max is getting on and I was starting to look at what model I might upgrade to. I know some will say, but why would you go to a base iPhone 17 or 17e if you use a Pro Max. As I said it was a hand-me-down to save me from my iPhone X which was dying. So this is in truth more iPhone than I need. I have only used about 109 GB and it's telling me I have 26GB in unused apps so really quite a bit less actually used. I barely ever take pictures (maybe 10 in the last year since I moved to the 12). With this in mind I'm wondering if the additional cost of the base iPhone 17 makes sense. I know it's a better phone but as I look at it the main difference I see is the camera and I'm not sure it's worth it. Is there something else I'm missing?

I wanted to start looking now since it appears that everything is about to get more expensive with the shortage of memory haunting all of the computer industry right now.
Click to expand...
The 17e will serve you perfectly fine. If you want the better 120hz screen on the 17 then go for it but if that doesn’t matter, 17e is a great option.
 
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A lot of countries have the iPhone Air for the same price as the regular 17, so don’t rule it out it’s a superb device!
 
RRC said:
A lot of countries have the iPhone Air for the same price as the regular 17, so don’t rule it out it’s a superb device!
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Not here in the US. It's $200 more than the 17 for worse specs and $400 more than the 17e. I already but the 17e and I'm very happy with it.
 
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