Apple introduced iPhone 17e! It supports MagSafe and has a new chip, we know the Czech price

While last year’s iPhone 16e was criticized for the absence of certain features, Apple decided to fill some gaps with its successor. The iPhone 17e comes with MagSafe support, which many fans missed in its predecessor, and also with double the base storage. The price remains at 16,990 CZK, which is a pleasant surprise in a time of rising prices. However, in some areas, it still unnecessarily held back.

MagSafe has finally arrived

Perhaps the most important new feature is the presence of MagSafe with wireless charging up to 15 W. The iPhone 16e only supported basic Qi charging with a mere 7.5 W, which was a significant limitation compared to the rest of the portfolio. The new model finally allows users to take advantage of the entire MagSafe accessory ecosystem – from chargers and stands to wallets and cases with magnetic attachment.

Support for the Qi2 standard also means compatibility with third-party chargers that use magnetic alignment. For many users, the absence of MagSafe on the 16e was a reason to opt for the more expensive iPhone 16 instead (and if I had been looking for a new iPhone back then, I would have done the same).

Display: No Dynamic Island and still 60Hz

Despite some speculation, the iPhone 17e did not get Dynamic Island. Apple stuck with the classic notch at the top of the display, which houses the Face ID sensors and selfie camera. This is a design element that will likely remain on basic iPhones for some time – the company is clearly still saving Dynamic Island for more expensive models.

The 60 Hz refresh rate may also be a disappointment, while competitors in this price category commonly offer 120 Hz. Apple has always reserved ProMotion technology for Pro models, and last year it newly extended it to the iPhone 17 and 17 Air. On the other hand, the display received a new seven-layer anti-reflective coating, which reduces glare in direct sunlight.

Otherwise, the display parameters remain similar – it is a 6.1″ OLED panel with a resolution of 2532 × 1170 pixels, a maximum brightness of 800 nits (1200 nits peak for HDR content), and True Tone technology support.

More durable construction thanks to Ceramic Shield 2

Let’s return to the screen for a moment: it is protected by Ceramic Shield 2 glass, which Apple has deployed across the entire iPhone 17 lineup. Compared to the previous generation, it is said to be 3× more scratch-resistant and better at suppressing glare. The body remains aluminum with IP68 certification for water and dust resistance.

A19 chip and significantly faster modem

Under the hood, there’s an upgrade to the A19 chip, which Apple introduced alongside the iPhone 17 series. Compared to last year’s A18, it offers higher performance and energy efficiency. It includes a 6-core CPU (2 performance and 4 efficiency cores), a 4-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, and a 16-core Neural Engine optimized for artificial intelligence tasks.

A significant improvement is the C1X modem, which is up to twice as fast as the C1 in the iPhone 16e. At the same time, it is said to be 30% more power-efficient than Qualcomm modems in iPhone 17 Pro models, which positively affects battery life.

Double the storage for the same price

Apple has doubled the base storage capacity in the new model. While the iPhone 16e started at 128 GB, the new 17e begins at 256 GB while maintaining the price of 16,990 CZK. A 512 GB variant is also available for 22,990 CZK. This is a welcome change that reflects the growing demands for storage space.

Camera: Evolution instead of revolution

In the area of photography, no fundamental changes have occurred. The iPhone 17e features a 48Mpx Fusion camera with optical stabilization and an f/1.6 aperture. Thanks to pixel-binning technology, it functions as two lenses in one – you can shoot at a basic resolution of 24 Mpx or use 2× zoom in supposedly optical quality. You still won’t find an ultrawide lens here.

New are next-generation portraits, which automatically save depth information. This allows you to change the focus point even after the fact in the Photos app. Video can be recorded in 4K at 60 fps with Dolby Vision support.

What remains the same?

Besides the 60 Hz display and the classic notch, the Action Button remains, replacing the silent mode switch and programmable for various functions. Face ID, a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and Apple Intelligence support are also present.

The battery should last up to 26 hours of video playback. Wired charging occurs at up to 20 W, reaching 50% from zero in approximately 30 minutes.

Price and availability

The iPhone 17e comes in three color variants – black, white, and a new soft pink. Pre-orders start on March 4th, with sales beginning on March 11th.

• 256 GB: 16,990 CZK
• 512 GB: 22,990 CZK

Is an upgrade from iPhone 16e worth it?

Owners of last year’s model should consider whether MagSafe and a faster modem represent a sufficient reason for an upgrade. The A18 chip’s performance is still more than adequate, and the camera remains virtually identical. Conversely, for users of older iPhone SE models or iPhone 12 series and older, it’s an interesting option to get a modern phone with Apple Intelligence support at a reasonable price.

What do you think of the new iPhone 17e? Do you miss Dynamic Island and 120 Hz?