After weeks of rumours and endless speculation, Apple has finally lifted the lid on its latest smartphone. It’s called the iPhone 17e, and it replaces the iPhone 16e, which launched early last year. Just like its predecessor, the iPhone 17e comes packed with features at a much lower price than its flagship siblings. Apple has just confirmed that this latest phone will be priced at £599 – that’s over £200 less than the iPhone 17. This latest device gets another bonus, as that low cost now includes 256GB of storage which is double the amount found in the iPhone 16e

So what else do you get for your money?

The iPhone 17e features a blisteringly quick A19 processor, which offers more oomph than the older A18-powered 16e. Helping boost things further is the C1X. That’s the latest-generation cellular modem designed by Apple, which is up to 2x faster than C1 in iPhone 16e – that’s good news for downloading files and films when away from fixed-line broadband.

Hit the power button, and the 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display will light up and offer some pretty impressive visuals. This screen is also covered in Apple’s Ceramic Shield glass for added protection against cracks and scratches and it gets improved anti-reflection tech to reduce glare.

Another boost coming to the iPhone 17e is MagSafe. This popular feature helps refill things faster than standard wireless charging, along with offering a simple way to snap accessories such as wallets to the back of the device. MagSafe was something Apple was criticised for not including on the iPhone 16e, so it’s good to see it arriving on this refreshed model.

Those who love snapping images will find a single 48MP Fusion camera included. Although the 17e lacks a dual snapper found on most other phones, Apple says this clever camera gives users two cameras in one, so they can get closer to the subject and easily frame their shot. This camera can also shoot videos in 4K with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps.

Other features include Emergency SOS via satellite which lets owners send texts when there is no mobile signal plus there’s Crash Detection which can detect a severe car accident and automatically dial emergency services.

If any of that sounds enticing, the iPhone 17e will be available in black, white, and a new soft pink colour. As we mentioned before, prices start from £599.

“iPhone 17e combines powerful performance and features our users love at an exceptional value, making it a compelling option for customers looking to upgrade to the iPhone 17 family,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. “We know our customers want a product that will last, and iPhone 17e delivers just that. With A19 for incredible performance, double the entry storage, a smarter camera system, and enhanced durability, iPhone 17e is designed to stay fast, secure, and valuable for years to come.”