Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone 17e Who's buying a 17e on launch day?
- Thread starter rwh63
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I've just ordered it through Amazon, £119/mo over 5 months.
I’ve been struggling with my 13 for a while now. Since iOS 26 was installed, it’s been crashing daily and generally sluggish. The other day, I had to apologise at the shop because I couldn’t pay for my shopping. The phone was unresponsive for a good couple of minutes. A reset a few weeks back did nothing. I was considering between the 17e and the 17 and realised the 13 had only one thing over the 17e: the ultra-wide lens. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but yesterday was the first time I realised I even had a “0.5x” option in the camera app. Needless to say, I’ve never used the ultra-wide in any of the photos I've taken over five years, so that made the decision much easier.
I’ve been struggling with my 13 for a while now. Since iOS 26 was installed, it’s been crashing daily and generally sluggish. The other day, I had to apologise at the shop because I couldn’t pay for my shopping. The phone was unresponsive for a good couple of minutes. A reset a few weeks back did nothing. I was considering between the 17e and the 17 and realised the 13 had only one thing over the 17e: the ultra-wide lens. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but yesterday was the first time I realised I even had a “0.5x” option in the camera app. Needless to say, I’ve never used the ultra-wide in any of the photos I've taken over five years, so that made the decision much easier.
i'm cross shopping the 13 mini and 17e. can pick up a good mini for $250-$300. i do like small phones.
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
Have you gone in and held and used a 16e?
As a 13 mini user myself, the idea of switching quickly disappears when you go try the 16e in hand (17e same size/feel).
Macdctr
macrumors 65816
menist
macrumors 6502a
I've been using a 16e as my main for 8 months now and will be getting the 17e 🙂
1rottenapple
macrumors 603
frankly if the future e models to can make the chassis more comfortable w/o a case to hold I would totally buy one.
Looking forward to delivery today. Already have a 17e case, though really the same as 16e.
Last edited:
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
I was in the store playing with the 17e and the 17 today, thinking which I would get if I "had to" (I use a 13 Mini).
I don't see a compelling reason to go for the 17e over the 17. The width (a metric I really care about) was essentially identical and it was only a tiny bit taller. And for that, you get 2 actual lenses and a ProMotion screen.
Yes it costs a bit less, but I rarely get new phones so I personally wouldn't make that a big part of my thought process honestly.
The normal 17 seems like one of the best iPhone values in a long time.
I don't see a compelling reason to go for the 17e over the 17. The width (a metric I really care about) was essentially identical and it was only a tiny bit taller. And for that, you get 2 actual lenses and a ProMotion screen.
Yes it costs a bit less, but I rarely get new phones so I personally wouldn't make that a big part of my thought process honestly.
The normal 17 seems like one of the best iPhone values in a long time.
I think it really depends if you want a 2 camera system, promotion, dynamic island, and slightly larger (unnoticeable to me) display. Those extras don't matter much to me. And it's the same chip and battery with same functionality. So decided to save 25% of the cost and go with the 17e. Fits my lifestyle needs, but also depends on one's expectations.
Macdctr
macrumors 65816
So I'm going to be upgrading my iPhone 12 Pro Max. Awesome phone, had it for 5 years now, however the larger size is just getting to be too much and want something smaller (my wife has a 12 mini which she intends to keep using). I was looking into an iPhone 17e, but after seeing the benefits of $200 more for a 17 and what it offers, I'm getting an iPhone 17. 17e still looks nice, but I really want the display technologies as I always have my phones now for 5 years or longer and I love Pro-motion on our MacBook Pro. Also looking forward to 256 GB base storage as my wife only has 64 GB on her phone and that is what may cause her to move on eventually from the mini.
joshwithachance
macrumors 68030
$200 is an extra 33% though. That's quite significant in this price range. And for many, an ultra-wide lens and 120Hz refresh rate display won't be worth the added expense.
za9ra22
macrumors 65816
I bought one. My 12mini is old enough to retire it, and the 17e comes in at a price where I don't have to switch to Android. Plus, 256Gb.... well, that makes this a whole lot more useful. Yes, it's bigger than the 12mini, but funnily enough not by enough that either of my belt clip/holsters are too small for it to slip into, but with iOS26.something, the 12mini's screen was getting crowded, and my ancient eyes need something more suited to them to read.
And seriously... it's astonishingly satisfying to use. At least until Apple make the next-big mess of iOS, and turn it into a confusing dog's dinner.
And seriously... it's astonishingly satisfying to use. At least until Apple make the next-big mess of iOS, and turn it into a confusing dog's dinner.
For me, the fact that both have the same rear camera and lens is the clincher. The quality of photos and videos will be the same. Other than that and phone functionality (also the same), I don't need much more from a mobile phone.
joshwithachance
macrumors 68030
Pair that with the fact that the 17e also has more endurance in most use cases (larger battery tings) and is a bit more compact, and you end up with a cheaper device that may in fact be BETTER for many people…
I was coming out of a 13 and was seriously considering the 17e but ended up purchasing a 17 yesterday. I have been wanting something a bit bigger and I kept running into storage issues with my 13 over the last year or so. I could have waited 6 months for the 18pro but knew I wasn't going to want to spend for the pro. I knew I couldn't hold out another year for the 18 in 2027 so I went ahead and purchased now.