Apple is gearing up for a major hardware event in the first week of March, and one device has everyone talking: the iPhone 17e.
This isn’t just another budget iPhone. The 17e is shaping up to be Apple’s most feature-packed entry-level model ever — with flagship-grade internals at a price that hasn’t changed from last year’s model.
If you’ve been sitting on an old iPhone, here’s why the next few days might be worth the wait.
Apple Is Finally Putting a Flagship Chip in a Budget iPhone
The iPhone 17e is expected to run Apple’s brand-new A19 chip — the same processor family powering the standard iPhone 17 lineup.
Yes, it may have one fewer GPU core than its pricier siblings. But that’s a minor trade-off for what you’re getting: next-generation performance, improved efficiency, and 8GB of RAM that unlocks full Apple Intelligence support. For an entry-level phone, this is a massive leap forward.
MagSafe Is Finally Coming to Apple's Cheapest iPhone
This is the upgrade Apple budget phone buyers have been waiting years for.
Previous entry-level iPhones were stuck with basic 7.5W Qi wireless charging. The iPhone 17e is expected to bring full MagSafe support — which means faster wireless charging (rumored between 15W and 25W) and access to Apple’s entire ecosystem of magnetic accessories, from car mounts to wallets to stands.
It’s a small change that makes everyday life noticeably better.
The Selfie Camera Is Getting a Major Upgrade
The rear camera on the 17e will likely stay at 48 megapixels, but the front camera is a completely different story.
Leaks suggest Apple is giving the 17e the same 18-megapixel Center Stage system currently found on the premium iPhone 17 models. That means sharper selfies, better low-light photos, and automatic subject tracking during video calls — features that were previously locked behind a much higher price tag.
Dynamic Island and Slimmer Bezels Replace the Old Notch
The iPhone 17e is expected to ditch the dated display notch in favor of Dynamic Island — the interactive pill-shaped cutout that debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro and is now standard across Apple’s lineup.
Pair that with a 6.1-inch OLED panel and slimmer bezels, and you’re looking at an entry-level iPhone that genuinely looks and feels like a 2025 flagship.
The Starting Price? Still $599
Here’s the most surprising part: despite all of these upgrades, the iPhone 17e is expected to launch at the exact same $599 (approximately ₹59,900 in India) as its predecessor.
In a year when smartphone prices across the industry keep climbing, Apple holding the line on pricing while adding MagSafe, a better chip, and a modern display makes this one of the most compelling iPhone launches in years.
Should You Wait?
If you’re currently using an iPhone 11, iPhone 12, or an older SE model, the answer is almost certainly yes.
Apple’s official announcement is expected around March 4 — just days away. Given what’s rumored, waiting a few more days before pulling the trigger on a new phone is a very easy call to make.
The iPhone 17e won’t compete with the Pro Max. It was never meant to. But it might just be the smartest iPhone Apple has ever built for the money.
