In last year’s post, I didn’t recommend the iPhone 16e simply because the value wasn't as strong as Apple was trying to sell. This year, with some notable upgrades, especially the starting storage at 256GB, should you get an iPhone 17e? Here is my train of thought:

At the launch of the iPhone 17e, the iPhone 15 has been retired for half a year already, the iPhone 16 is at $699 with only 128GB storage, and the iPhone 17 is destined to be $699 in six months.

In my purchase guide for the iPhone 17 family, I recommended the vanilla iPhone 17 for the additional upgrades/value it offers this year. The same statement stands when it’s compared with the iPhone 17e with many outstanding features from the iPhone 17.

When choosing between the iPhone 17e and the iPhone 16, the distinction is also quite clear, although there are some conflicting specs (the iPhone 17e is cheaper with 256GB of storage, while the iPhone 16 only has 128GB of storage despite being priced at $699).

The iPhone 16 is definitely a fancier option. It’s more suitable for photography with an additional camera and camera control button, as well as a newer screen design with dynamic island.

The iPhone 17e is geared towards being a more solid value option if you don’t really care about fancy stuff like the Dynamic Island or Wi-Fi 7 speeds, but just want something reliable with longer battery life and fast performance (A19 and 256GB storage) that won’t lag behind in 3 years.

Here is a self-help questionnaire if you are looking for a new basic iPhone as of March 2026:

1. Do I absolutely need a new phone right now?

• No -> wait half a year and get the iPhone 17 at $699.

• Yes -> move to question 2.

2. Do I take a lot of ultrawide photos (open the Photos app, search 'ultrawide' to filter)?

• Yes -> get an iPhone 16.

• No -> move to question 3.

3. Do I plan to use this phone for over 3 years?

• Yes -> get an iPhone 17e.

• No -> get an iPhone 16.