A winning team doesn’t change, it just gets better. Apple has officially unveiled the new iPhone 17e, the device aimed at capturing the entry-level tier of Cupertino’s ecosystem for 2026. If on the outside the design remains faithful to tradition, notch included, it’s under the hood that the real magic happens. Let’s explore together all the specifications and novelties of this return, along with the price in Italy.
iPhone 17e official: everything you need to know about Apple’s new budget phone
Design and display
As teased by various leaks, Apple has chosen a conservative approach to styling and to some of the specifications. The new iPhone 17e looks to its predecessor with an identical aesthetic: there is a single rear sensor accompanied by the LED flash, while on the front we have a display with a notch at the top.
No punch-hole and Dynamic Island, therefore, which remain the prerogative of higher-end models. The body is made from aerospace-grade aluminum with a protective Ceramic Shield 2 glass and IP68 rating against dust and water.
The display is the same Super Retina XDR OLED panel 6.1 inches in Flat format as the previous iPhone 16e, always with peak brightness up to 1,200 nits. Besides the selfie camera, the notch houses the Face ID for 3D face unlocking. The Action button is also present.
Technical specifications and camera
The real novelties of iPhone 17e are under the hood: the device shares several similarities with the standard iPhone 17, starting with the latest-generation A19 chipset — built on a 3 nm process and featuring a six-core high-performance CPU. The modem is improved with the new C1X, Apple’s proprietary solution, while on the software side the device ships with iOS 26.
Finally the smallest member of the family is enhanced with MagSafe charging support: wireless charging up to 15W with magnetic connectors to attach compatible accessories. Storage also improves, now starting from 256 GB (the 128 GB size is now part of the past).
For the camera we have a single main Fusion sensor of 48 MP with OIS and 2X optical zoom integrated. Below you will find the full specifications.
iPhone 17e – Technical specifications
- Dimensions and weight: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm, 170 grams
- Color options: Black, White, Soft Pink
- Certification: IP68
- Display: Flat Super Retina XDR OLED 6.1 inches (2,532 x 1,170 pixels) with Ceramic Shield 2 protection, True Tone, 1,200 nits and oleophobic coating
- Security: Face ID (3D)
- Cooling
- SoC: Apple Silicon A19, 3 nm TSMC
- CPU: 6-core
- 2 x 4.26 GHz – Everest (Performance)
- 4 x 2.6 GHz – Sawtooth (Efficiency)
- GPU: integrated 5-core
- Neural Engine: 16-core
- RAM: 8 GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: 256/512 GB NVMe non-expandable
- Battery:
- Charging: wireless 25W, MagSafe
- Camera: single Fusion 2-in-1 sensor 48/12 MP (f/1.6) with OIS, telephoto lens with 2X optical zoom integrated in the main sensor
- Selfie camera: 12 MP (f/1.9)
- Connectivity and more: Dual SIM 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, GPS, stereo speaker, USB-C, second-generation Apple C1X modem, Action Button, satellite features, Apple Intelligence
- Operating system: iOS 26
How much does iPhone 17e cost – Price and release in Italy
The iPhone 17e launch happened as a surprise, while sales will start on March 4 via pre-order. The actual release is set for March 11, with a starting price of €729 for the 256 GB model. The top variant with 512 GB is offered at €979. As usual, the new iPhone will be available through the official store, Amazon and the main electronics retailers (physical and online).
