The most affordable smartphone in Apple’s current product lineup is the new iPhone 17e, starting at $599. The regular iPhone 17, introduced last September, starts at $799. In this article, we will discuss the fantastic upgrades you get when you pay an extra $200!

1. Modern-Looking Phone

The iPhone 17 offers a more pleasing front appearance with a smaller Dynamic Island. The (ugly) Face ID notch on the iPhone 17e gives it an outdated look. Additionally, the side edges of the iPhone 17 are much thinner compared to the 17e.

If you haven’t used an iPhone with Dynamic Island before, this small pill at the top of the screen helps you keep track of sports scores, flight statuses, timers, music controls, and more.

If you’re upgrading from an older notched iPhone, Dynamic Island will be a thin but significant improvement. Plus, it will be a new experience for you.

2. Higher Refresh Rate Display

One of the reasons to love the iPhone 17 is its higher 120Hz ProMotion display, which was only available on Pro and Pro Max models in the previous generation.

The 120Hz panel makes scrolling and content viewing super smooth and is quite easy on the eyes. In comparison, the cheaper iPhone 17e is limited to just 60Hz (not even 90Hz)!

If you haven’t used a ProMotion display before, this will be a big upgrade, and you will notice it as soon as you set up your new iPhone.

3. Slightly Larger Screen

The iPhone 17 has a 6.3-inch screen, while the iPhone 17e has a 6.1-inch screen.

4. Brighter Display

Although both models have the same pixel resolution (2532x1170), pixels per inch (460 ppi), and typical contrast ratio, the iPhone 17’s panel is brighter.

  • 1000 nits maximum brightness (typical) vs. 800 nits
  • 1600 nits peak brightness (HDR) vs. 1200 nits
  • 3000 nits peak brightness (outdoor) vs. no such information for iPhone 17e

In short, if you frequently use your phone outdoors, the iPhone 17 will be more suitable for you.

5. Always-On Display

Just like I don’t use a screensaver on my MacBook, I also don’t use the always-on display because it unnecessarily drains the battery. However, I know that many iPhone and Android users enjoy seeing the time, widgets, and Live Activities constantly on the lock screen even when the phone is not in use. If you think this would be useful for you, then the iPhone 17 is suitable for you, not the 17e.

6. More Battery Life

While the iPhone 17e has an impressive battery on paper, the iPhone 17 offers 4 hours more video playback time.

  • iPhone 17: Up to 30 hours of video playback
  • iPhone 17e: Up to 26 hours of video playback

7. Revolutionary Front Camera

The iPhone 17 series comes with a new 18MP Center Stage front camera with a square sensor, allowing you to take wide group/landscape photos even while holding the phone vertically. Additionally, this new camera sensor adds features that are not available on the iPhone 17e’s 12MP front camera:

  • Ultra-stabilized video
  • Center Stage for photos and video calls
  • Dual Capture
  • Tap to rotate the photo

8. Better Rear Cameras

The dual 48MP + 48MP rear cameras on the iPhone 17 offer you the following additional photography features compared to the single 48MP camera on the iPhone 17e:

  • Ultra-wide (0.5x) camera to include more people or scenery in your photos
  • Better image stabilization (sensor-shift optical image stabilization vs. optical image stabilization on 17e)
  • 3D spatial photos
  • Macro photography for very close-up shots
  • Next-generation Photographic Styles

9. More Video Recording Options

While both models can record video at 4K resolution at 60 frames per second and record slow-motion videos at 240 frames per second at 1080p, paying an additional $200 gives you the following extra features:

  • Cinematic video recording, with focus transitions between the main and background subjects like in movies.
  • Dual Capture, allowing simultaneous recording with both front and rear cameras and saving it as a single video file.
  • Action mode, allowing you to record fast-moving subjects with more fluidity and stabilization.
  • Record spatial videos and view them in 3D on Apple Vision Pro.
  • Macro video recording.
  • Enhanced QuickTake video up to 4K 60fps.

10. Faster Wired and Wireless Charging

If you’re someone who often forgets to charge your phone every night, the iPhone 17 will be more suitable for you. It can reach a 50% charge level in 20 minutes when using a 40W or higher adapter. In comparison, the iPhone 17e can fast charge up to 50% in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter.

Additionally, while the iPhone 17e now supports wireless charging up to 15 watts (7.5 watts on iPhone 16e), the regular iPhone 17 can fast charge wirelessly up to 25 watts.

11. Better Wireless Connectivity

The iPhone 17 supports the newer Bluetooth 6 and Wi-Fi 7 specifications, while the iPhone 17e is still limited to the older Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6.

Moreover, like the thin iPhone Air, the iPhone 17e does not support 5G mmWave, but the iPhone 17 does.

On top of that, the iPhone 17 has improved precision dual-frequency GPS for a better location experience.

If you use smart home and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the iPhone 17 supports the more reliable Thread network technology, while 17e does not provide information about this.

One area where the iPhone 17e stands out is Apple’s C1X chip, which helps keep your location more private by preventing your carrier from knowing your exact location. This feature is not available on any other iPhone, only on the iPhone Air.

12. Better AirTag and Find My Tracking

The iPhone 17 has Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband (U2) chip, while the iPhone 17e uses the U1 chip. Compared to U1, the U2 chip has three times the range of precision, more accurate spatial awareness, and lower battery consumption. In short, finding your AirTags, AirPods case, and nearby Find My people works faster, more accurately, and from further away with the iPhone 17.

13. Camera Control Button

I initially didn’t like the Camera Control button, but after making some adjustments, I think it does a great job of instantly opening the camera and taking a quick photo. If you take a lot of photos, this addition could be beneficial; you can find this button on the iPhone 17 but not on the 17e.

14. An Extra GPU Core

Although both models share the A19 chip, the more expensive model has an extra GPU core (5 vs. 4).

15. More Color Options

The iPhone 17 comes in five different color options: Lavender, Cloud Blue, Black, White, and Sage. The iPhone 17e is limited to just three colors: White, Black, and the new Soft Pink color.

After reviewing the points above, what do you think?

If you had to make a choice, would you be willing to pay an extra $200 for the upgrades mentioned above?

For me, the extra $200 is worth it for a better high refresh rate display, an extra camera, and better battery life.

You can pre-order the iPhone 17e today (March 4, 2026), with the first deliveries occurring on March 11. The iPhone 17 is also available with 2-hour or next-day delivery options in many ZIP codes.