iPhone 17e

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Apple’s new iPhone 17e, a $599 mid‑range model with 256 GB storage, OLED, MagSafe and an in‑house modem, is being weighed against both older used iPhones and the more expensive 17/Pro line. Commenters argue over whether Apple’s pricing reflects justified “attainable luxury” or pure margin maximization, noting that real‑term prices have fallen since the original iPhone but not as dramatically as other consumer tech. Many would accept reduced specs for a cheaper or smaller device, lamenting the disappearance of compact phones like the 13 mini and trade‑offs such as 60 Hz displays, weaker cameras, and missing features like ultra‑wideband in Apple’s lower-cost offerings.

Pricing, Positioning & Value

  • Many see $599 as Apple charging “what the market will bear,” questioning why there isn’t a sub‑$500 new iPhone after nearly 20 years.
  • Others argue the price is reasonable or even a “steal” after inflation, especially vs. early iPhones and given increased capability and longevity.
  • Debate over whether Apple is a “luxury” vs “quality” brand; some call it “attainable luxury” and say cheap models would undermine margins and brand.
  • Several suggest budget buyers should get used/refurb 14/15/16 instead of a new 17e; some note refurb 16/16 Pro pricing can be competitive.

Hardware & Feature Set

  • 17e upgrades over 16e called out: 256GB base storage, A19, C1X in‑house modem, MagSafe, ceramic-coated glass, OLED (though 16e already had OLED).
  • Lack of Dynamic Island, ultrawide band, Wi‑Fi 7, BT 6, and 120 Hz seen as main differentiators vs higher tiers.
  • Some disappointed by 60 Hz in 2026; others either don’t notice or don’t care at this price/segment.
  • RAM amount is not disclosed; commenters note Apple’s long-standing practice of omitting RAM from marketing, speculate 8 GB due to Apple Intelligence support.

Modem, Connectivity & Battery

  • The Apple-designed C1X modem is viewed as a major win for power efficiency and security; several travelers report excellent dual‑eSIM battery life on 16e.
  • Some wish Apple’s modem and Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth stack would reach the Pro line soon, prioritizing cooler operation and battery over peak 5G speeds.

MagSafe & Charging

  • Addition of native MagSafe praised; previous 16e owners relied on MagSafe-compatible cases/rings.
  • Fans like strain-free charging while using the phone, multi-device MagSafe docks, and car mounts; skeptics prefer simple USB‑C.

Storage & Cloud

  • Opinions split on 256GB base: some think it’s overkill given cloud photo backup; others say iOS/apps leak storage, OS updates fail on 64–128GB, and large games/media make space tight.
  • Several report Apple and third‑party apps hoarding tens of GB (e.g., Maps caches), making larger local storage practically useful.

Form Factor & Lineup Strategy

  • Many praise the e-line for pushing base 17 specs up (“very little reason to get 17 Pro” beyond cameras/120 Hz).
  • Others say the 17e is still too large; there’s extensive nostalgia for the 13 mini/SE form factor and frustration that Apple prefers many near-identical large models instead of a true compact option.
  • Some expect 17e to be bought in bulk by businesses as a fleet device.

Software, Performance & Ownership Concerns

  • iOS 26 / “Liquid Glass” raises worries: reports of lag and GPU strain on lower-end or older phones; some say disabling animations helps, others find that unacceptable for a recent device.
  • A few complain about lack of “actual ownership” (locks, updates, ID requirements), but this is more a general Apple criticism than 17e-specific.