The $599 iPhone 17E is a great new entry-level iOS device for someone that wants a budget-friendly phone with many of the premium features as Apple’s flagship phones. In her iPhone 17E review, my colleague Abrar Al-Heeti praised the phone’s feel, higher base storage of 256GB and the inclusion of MagSafe. But even with these perks, I can’t help but notice that there are several other iPhone options that might be a better match for someone shopping in this price range.
Watch this: iPhone 17E Packs More Features for the Same $599 Price
The iPhone 17E’s launch alongside the $599 MacBook Neo provides an interesting comparison for how Apple’s rolling out value options in these categories. The MacBook Neo is an excellent laptop for its price, but its competitors aren’t necessarily cheap Windows laptops or Chromebooks. The Neo is replacing older MacBook Air laptops that were selling at a discount, and is now Apple’s most affordable laptop.
But while the Neo is a compelling option for buying a brand new laptop over an older one, I don’t necessarily feel the same way about the iPhone 17E. There are a number of reasons to still consider an older iPhone instead of a brand-new iPhone 17E.
A brand new iPhone 15 costs as low as $530, and has more camera features than the iPhone 17E.
You can still get new iPhones for less than the 17E
Apple’s iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 have many of the same features as the iPhone 17E, but in lots of ways, they are better options. Both phones have a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera that’s similar to the single rear camera on the 17E. But the older flagship phones also have a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, which the iPhone 17E lacks, allowing for photos and videos of wider scenes at 0.5x magnification. And you can still buy both of them brand new for around the price of the 17E. At the time of writing, the iPhone 15 is $530 and the iPhone 16 is $630 at Best Buy when you activate it on AT&T or Verizon.
You can also buy both devices from Apple using its Certified Refurbished shop. While this technically means the devices were used, it also means Apple itself replaced any necessary parts and is essentially selling the device as new, complete with a warranty and the option to add AppleCare. Apple’s 128GB iPhone 15 is for $529, or if you want to match the iPhone 17E’s 256GB of storage, that model is $619. While that’s $20 above the iPhone 17E’s price, the more versatile dual-rear camera system is an easy reason to choose the iPhone 15, not to mention video features like Cinematic mode and Action mode, which aren’t available on the 17E.
Apple’s iPhone 16 does support Apple Intelligence and comes with an Action button.
You do lose Apple Intelligence access by choosing the iPhone 15, but at this time, you aren’t missing out on much, since features like an enhanced Siri are still in the works. Another option is a $619 refurbished iPhone 16 which supports Apple Intelligence and has a programmable Action button, but only comes with 128GB of storage. Stepping up to 256GB costs256GB takes you to $699, which isn’t bad, but you’re now looking at a $100 upcharge from the iPhone 17E’s $599 price to get that ultrawide camera.
While these options let you buy a device that’s new or essentially new, if you’re OK with buying a used phone from a third-party seller, you could get an iPhone 15 Pro with a little bit of work.
Comparing new and refurbished iPhones
| Phone | Price | Storage | Retailer | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 | $529 | 128GB | Apple | Refurbished |
| iPhone 15* | $530 | 128GB | Best Buy | New |
| iPhone 17E | $599 | 256GB | Apple | New |
| iPhone 15 | $619 | 256GB | Apple | Refurbished |
| iPhone 16 | $619 | 128GB | Apple | Refurbished |
| iPhone 16* | $630 | 128GB | Best Buy | New |
| iPhone 16 | $699 | 256GB | Apple | Refurbished |
| iPhone 16* | $730 | 256GB | Best Buy | New |
| iPhone 15 | $789 | 512GB | Apple | Refurbished |
| iPhone 17E | $799 | 512GB | Apple | New |
| iPhone 16 | $869 | 512GB | Apple | Refurbished |
| * with cellular service |
The iPhone 15 Pro is easy to find on the used market, and has a lot of perks that the 17E does not have.
Going used can get you an iPhone 15 Pro — but watch for tradeoffs
I closely follow the used phone market and recently tried out a used iPhone 13 Mini to see how it holds up four years after its release. I frequently see used 2023 iPhone 15 Pros at tempting prices in “Renewed” condition on sites like Amazon, Gazelle and BackMarket.
Watch this: I Try Out a Used iPhone 13 Mini in 2025. Can It Be a Better Buy Than an iPhone Air?
Feature-wise, the iPhone 15 Pro blows the iPhone 17E out of the water in every way but processing power. You get three cameras, including a 3x telephoto lens, along with an A17 Pro processor that can tap into Apple Intelligence.
As of this writing, on Amazon, for instance, the 512GB iPhone 15 Pro sells between $557 to $600, depending on the color. That’s the price for an iPhone with at least 80% of its original battery capacity (Apple recommends replacing an iPhone battery when its maximum capacity drops to 80% or lower). The Renewed Premium editioncomes with a battery with a maximum capacity of 90% and costs roughly $620. In both cases, the phones might have visible wear, but nothing that should affect your ability to use the phone.
When I tried out a used iPhone 13 Mini, I was constantly bothered by its reduced battery capacity.
But notice my emphasis on battery life: My refurbished iPhone 13 Mini’s battery was at 83% capacity, and incredibly frustrating to use. And even though I have a phone insurance credit card perk that would cover the cost of a battery replacement (without insurance, the cost is $69 for the 13 Mini, and $99 for the iPhone 15 and 16), that’s only at official Apple retail stores and they only replace it when the battery goes under 80% capacity. If you’re comfortable dismantling your phone, there are also kits for replacing a phone battery yourself, but that’s very much an “at your own risk” kind of thing. Third-party repair places are also an option for battery replacements but will void the warranty (if there’s any left on the phone).
Many used phones come with a warranty but may have a limited return window. Even if it’s short, this return window can be nice because it gives you time to live with the actual battery life day-to-day. When I bought the used iPhone 13 Mini, it came with a 90-day return period, and I discovered within 15 days that I was having issues with that phone’s battery. Otherwise, you could be looking at adding an extra $99 to pay for Apple to replace the battery, which still might be a deal in terms of the price overall.
The iPhone 17E atop a pile of books.
You have lots of options if you want a sub-$600 iPhone
The iPhone 17E is a good option for a new phone. It has the latest processor, just enough comfort features like MagSafe, and plenty of local storage for photos and videos. But it’s important to know your options if you’re shopping within this price range for iOS devices, which — now that the iPhone SE line has been retired — are few and far between these days.
You could save money by going for the iPhone 15, especially if you’re upgrading from an older iPhone. Or if you’re comfortable with going used, you can get an iPhone 15 Pro, as long as you pay attention to potential issues like reduced battery capacity.
I’ve listed all the options and their specs next to each other in the following chart for further comparison. That way, you can decide whether you’d rather get a new iPhone 17E or an older iPhone with potentially more features for around the same price.
Apple iPhone 17E vs. Apple iPhone 16, Apple iPhone 15, Apple iPhone 15 Pro
| Apple iPhone 17E | Apple iPhone 16 | Apple iPhone 15 | Apple iPhone 15 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display size, resolution | 6.1-inch OLED display; 2,532×1,170 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556 x 1,179 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 120Hz adaptive |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 in | 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in | 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in | 5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 in |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 mm |
| Weight (ounces, grams) | 167g (5.88 oz.) | 170 g (6 oz.) | 171g (6.02 oz) | 187g (6.6 oz) |
| Mobile software | iOS 26 | iOS 26 | iOS 26 | iOS 26 |
| Camera | 48-megapixel (wide) | 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (3x telephoto) |
| Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | Apple A19 | Apple A18 | A16 Bionic | A17 Pro |
| RAM/Storage | RAM unknown + 256GB, 512GB | RAM N/A + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | RAM N/A + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | RAM N/A + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Expandable storage | None | None | None | None |
| Battery/Charger | 4,005 mAh. 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W | Undisclosed; Up to 22 hours video playback; up to 18 hours video playback (streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher; Qi2 up to 15W | Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W | Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 23 hours of video playback (20 hours streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W |
| Fingerprint sensor | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) |
| Connector | USB-C (USB 2.0) | USB-C (USB 2.0) | USB-C (USB 2.0) | USB-C (USB 3.0) |
| Headphone jack | None | None | None | None |
| Special features | Apple Intelligence, MagSafe, Qi2 charging (up to 15W), Action button, Apple C1 5G modem, Ceramic Shield, Emergency SOS, satellite connectivity, IP68 resistance | Apple Intelligence, MagSafe, Action button, Camera Control button, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2,000 nits display brightness range, IP68 resistance. Colors: black, white, pink, teal, ultramarine. | Dynamic Island; 5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity | Apple Intelligence, 5G (mmw/Sub6), Action Button, Always-On display, IP68 rating, MagSafe, Dynamic Island, 5x optical zoom (120mm equivalent), satellite connectivity, eSIM, Thread networking technology |
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
