Apple iPhone 17e Review: specs and features, camera quality test, gaming benchmark, user opinions and photos

Apple iPhone 17e – a blend of high-tech and outdated

Apple's products have always been aimed at those with a hefty budget. However, virtually every new generation of the smartphone line has included a relatively affordable model. Unfortunately, to keep costs down, the manufacturer has had to resort to rather unusual measures. Thus, the subject of today's review is impressively powerful, but in other respects it feels like a device from many years ago.

The appearance of the new device is simply mediocre. The huge notch housing the 12-megapixel selfie camera and biometric sensor looks awful, and the wide bezels all around the screen and the single camera module on the back are unlikely to please anyone. Among its advantages, the only highlights are the variety of tempered glass back panel colors, the metal frame, and IP68 water resistance. The 6.1-inch OLED display boasts a high resolution of 2532x1170 pixels for its diagonal size, resulting in excellent image clarity. Its color reproduction is beyond reproach, while peak brightness could be higher (1200 nits). However, what's truly surprising is the low 60 Hz refresh rate.

The technical specifications include an A19 CPU and 8 GB of RAM. The iOS operating system impresses with its responsiveness and smoothness. Although the processor scores a distant two million points in the AnTuTu benchmark, all games run at maximum graphics settings with a very stable frame rate. The case doesn't get too hot. Decent battery life is achieved through software optimization and a 4005 mAh battery. You can expect 8-10 hours of screen time. But the charging power is paltry by today's standards (wired - 30W, wireless - 15W). Storage options include 256GB or 512GB.

The photography capabilities of the single 48-megapixel sensor are excellent, it's hard to argue with that. Both daytime and evening photos are rich in fine detail, without an abundance of noise, blur, or other artifacts. However, modern users accustomed to shooting with wide-angle and telephoto lenses are unlikely to appreciate their absence. Loud and rich stereo speakers, NFC, and 5G round out the device's list of advantages, but the huge savings on the exterior and cameras are unlikely to make it a true hit.