iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 16 Buyer's Guide: Which Low-Cost iPhone Should You Choose?

[klasma]

Correct me if I'm remembering incorrectly, but I believe "s" iPhones were usually just iPhones with updated/faster A chips.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 got a bigger display (6.3" vs 6.1" on iPhone 16), ProMotion and higher peak nits brightness, a better camera, increase in (double) base storage.... I don't recall "s" iPhones getting all these upgrades.

The 17 is the biggest upgrade the regular iPhone had in a long time. Calling it an S is rather strange.

 

[HazeAndHahmahneez]

A good friend of mine is using iphone 7 and finally I was able to persuade him to buy 17e. I told him that just buy 17 for the following 10 years of usage, but he doesn't want the extra camera or any other stuff. I believe with 16e he would have been also happy, but with the processor he will be using it definitely until it brakes.

What I (actually my mother) needs is the largest possible iphone but there is no way we can buy iphone 17 pro max. I wish they didn't kill the Plus version, the iphone 17 with plus size would have been perfect for us...

So, we will choose 16 plus with 60 Hz display 🙁

Your friend sounds awesome. I’d have gone on to trying to get him on 16 max the best one. Nice and capable, light for its ability class etc etc

Sounds like your boy will get a ton of use from it and it’ll do good by him, I certainly vouch for Apple iPhone construction quality. I once had an old 8 plus that survived even with half the back missing lol

Sucks abt your mom. Why don’t you check swappa eBay etc and get her 15 max? Nice and light can still do Apple Intelligence if she wants and shouldn’t break the bank…

Yup just checked: Apple website iPhone 15 plus refurb. 128 gigs (I’d choose the green first then blue): 619$

Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus 128GB - Green (Unlocked)

Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus 128GB - Green (Unlocked)

Originally released September 2023 6.7-inch(diagonal) Super Retina XDR display Aluminum with color-infused glass back Ceramic Shield front, tougher than any smartphone glass Dynamic Island A16 Bionic Chip Ring/Silent switch Advanced dual-camera system Next-generation portraits with Focus and...

www.apple.com

 

[Lwii2boo]

Typo in MR article - Base iPhone 16/16 Plus has 5 GPU cores not 4. Only 16e/17e have 4 gpu cores on 16/17 series. Not a big difference tbf in real use.

 

[geta]

After using both in the store, I'd pick a 17 over the 17e, and certainly over the 16e.

The width is a really important spec for me and since that's the same, I'd suck up the price difference as the 17 is a WAY better device that will be functionally in service a lot longer.


View attachment 2612710

Device comparison link from above

And how is this relevant to the article about iPhone 17e vs. 16?

 

[turbineseaplane]

And how is this relevant to the article about iPhone 17e vs. 16?

The 17 is a way better phone than the 16 ..

Nobody should be getting the 16 now, IMO, unless dirt dirt cheap.

 

[Ctrlos]

While they look physically the same the 17 feels like a bigger bump over the 16 than a typical S cycle for the display alone (ProMotion, bigger, brighter & slimmer bezels). The S cycle traditionally was using the exact same display and enclosure with internal upgrades (mostly chip and and camera module upgrades). The 15 and 16 had more in common than the 16 and 17 do.

I still rate the 6S. Force Touch had a genuinely analog pressure sensitivity to it that was far too under-utilised and not anywhere the same as the long press that replaced it.

 

[Ctrlos]

Have to disagree here

The 17 has a larger screen and got upgraded to ProMotion and has AOD.

It also has 8 more hours of battery life (on Apple metrics at least), a way better front facing camera and 2x the storage on base model.

This all adds up to more than one would have expected in an S model year.

But ultimately still bigger stats. I’m not saying it’s a rubbish phone, but the real meaningful jump was the extra hardware.

 

[zenmacx]

After using both in the store, I'd pick a 17 over the 17e, and certainly over the 16e.

The width is a really important spec for me and since that's the same, I'd suck up the price difference as the 17 is a WAY better device that will be functionally in service a lot longer.


View attachment 2612710

Device comparison link from above

Yes indeed!

After owning nearly every model of iPhone since the original, I must say the iPhone 17 is an excellent choice.

A relative bargain considering its features, performance and many years of support. The value relative to other iPhone models is exceptional.

 

[zenmacx]

What Apple did with the Neo was a success but phasing out the iPhone SE was a mistake. An SE version would be a great budget option, their iPhone line up is too complicated. Personally, I don’t think the 16e/17e strategy is particularly smart.

Give me a decent iPhone without the bells and whistles at a great price (i.e. considerably lower than the more expensive iPhone)

The problem here is that logic is being applied, instead of pure greed 🤣

A decent iPhone without the bells and whistles at a great price is brilliant!

 

[Jeeve Stubbs]

The 17e is a great value, but for a 2026 device, Apple should have at least included Wi-Fi 6E.

 

[Jeeve Stubbs]

iPhone without the bells and whistles

It can't produce a sound when you receive a call or text message, lol.

 

[Richard8655]

17e is all most people need, and it offers plenty.

 

[svish]

Both are good iPhones. If price is a concern, definitely the 17e will be a better option. But overall the 16 has many more features, and if one is ready to spend more, without a doubt get the base 17. Comes down to exactly what features one requires/ one can live without.

 

[nymphe]

Your friend sounds awesome. I’d have gone on to trying to get him on 16 max the best one. Nice and capable, light for its ability class etc etc

Sounds like your boy will get a ton of use from it and it’ll do good by him, I certainly vouch for Apple iPhone construction quality. I once had an old 8 plus that survived even with half the back missing lol

Sucks abt your mom. Why don’t you check swappa eBay etc and get her 15 max? Nice and light can still do Apple Intelligence if she wants and shouldn’t break the bank…

Yup just checked: Apple website iPhone 15 plus refurb. 128 gigs (I’d choose the green first then blue): 619$

Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus 128GB - Green (Unlocked)

Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus 128GB - Green (Unlocked)

Originally released September 2023 6.7-inch(diagonal) Super Retina XDR display Aluminum with color-infused glass back Ceramic Shield front, tougher than any smartphone glass Dynamic Island A16 Bionic Chip Ring/Silent switch Advanced dual-camera system Next-generation portraits with Focus and...

www.apple.com

View attachment 2612758

Thanks for your kind words 🙂

Unfortunately, both of them (my friend and also my mother) are living in Turkey, where the iPhone prices are at least double than the US prices. The iphone 17e costs 1245.- USD (incl. VAT). Therefore the second market is also very expensive and sketchy due to replaced components, etc. Another reason to buy new and once and use it carefully.

And no, because of IMEI lock in the country, you cannot import from abroad. 🙂

 

[RashyIsBack2]

the same main rear camera

The rear camera is not the same at all. The sensor is much smaller. 1/2.55“ vs 1/1.56“. Basically iPhone XS/XR level. Welcome back to 2018.

 

[newfoundglory]

Does the 16 have the Snapdragon X75? is it actually the X71 not the x75. Recently got a 16 Plus and not sure myself. Perhaps not mmWave or region specific perhaps?