Apple has launched the iPhone 17e, its latest ‘e’ model aimed at buyers who want a newer iPhone experience without stepping up to the flagship price tiers.

On paper, the iPhone 17e looks familiar. It sticks with a 6.1-inch display and broadly the same design language as last year’s model, but Apple says the front is now protected by tougher glass in line with the broader iPhone 17 family.

The big upgrade is inside. The 17e moves to Apple’s A19 processor – the same generation used in the mainline iPhone 17 – and introduces the company’s C1X in-house cellular modem.

Apple claims the modem is faster than the previous version while also being more power efficient, a combination that should matter to anyone who lives on 5G.

Charging and accessories also get a welcome lift. MagSafe is back, with support for Qi2 15W wireless charging, restoring Apple’s magnetic ecosystem of docks, wallets and car mounts to the more affordable line.

Storage now starts at 256GB – double the previous entry level – while colours are kept simple in black, white and pink.

Camera hardware remains intentionally minimal. You still get a single 48-megapixel ‘Fusion’ rear camera with an optical-quality 2x option, rather than the multi-lens setups found on higher models.

There are compromises of course. The 17e misses out on premium display features like a higher refresh rate, and it also skips Dynamic Island, helping Apple keep the price down while differentiating it from the iPhone 17 and Pro models.

In Australia, pre-orders open 4 March ahead of an 11 March on-sale date. Pricing starts at A$999.