iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 16 Buyer’s Guide: Which Cheapest iPhone Should You Choose?

The iPhone 17e recently joined the iPhone lineup. Apple continues to market the iPhone 16 as a less expensive alternative, and while the two devices share many key features, there are still more than 25 differences between them that you should know about.

After the launch of the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air, Apple discontinued the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, and reduced the price of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus by $100.

The iPhone 17e and iPhone 16 now represent the two most affordable iPhone models available directly from Apple, with just $100 between them. To justify this price gap, the iPhone 17e misses out on features like the Dynamic Island, Ultra Wide camera, and new connectivity technologies. However, it still offers strong performance thanks to the new A19 chip, the same rear camera, and long battery life. Here’s everything that’s different:

At a very affordable price point, the iPhone 17e will likely be the go-to iPhone for many customers, especially those shopping on a budget. Like its predecessor, it makes a few compromises compared to the standard model and still delivers many essential features for everyday use. In fact, the iPhone 17e now offers better performance than the iPhone 16 thanks to its new A19 chip, and a stronger battery life helped by Apple’s efficient C1X modem.

For many customers, the absence of an Ultra Wide camera, Camera Control, additional color options, and new connectivity technologies such as Wi-Fi 7, Thread, and Ultra Wideband may not matter. The iPhone 17e also starts with more storage and costs $100 less than the iPhone 16, making it a compelling option for consumers who care primarily about performance, battery life, and overall value.

However, the iPhone 16 still offers a few advantages. Features such as Dynamic Island, a bright display with high brightness on the outside, an Ultra Wide camera that captures large images, Spatial photo and video capture, and a wide range of video features provide the most capable camera system. Additional hardware such as Ultra Wideband chip, Thread connection, mmWave 5G, and Wi-Fi 7 may be important for users looking for a more complete feature set.

As a result, the decision between the two models is now less straightforward. Customers looking for the best feature set, especially when it comes to camera and display, should consider the iPhone 16. On the other hand, those who prioritize performance, storage, battery life, and price will likely find the iPhone 17e to be a better value.