Apple made the iPhone 16e a highly attractive proposition for the masses wanting to step into the company’s hardware and software ecosystem by offering a $599 package that boasted the best battery life for any 6.1-inch iPhone launched at the time. Just comparing the iPhone 17e in pure endurance, the latest comparison shows that Apple might have ignored this bit about its latest release, making it the worst-performing model from the current-generation lineup.
Even the iPhone Air, which wasn’t known for its battery prowess, ends up with better statistics than the iPhone 17e
Unless the specifications bump for the same $599 price as last year matters to you, it makes little sense to upgrade to the iPhone 17e. Looking at Apple’s comparison table below, the latest handset matches the iPhone 16e in both regular video playback and streamed video playback, with the iPhone Air and base iPhone 17 getting the better of the iPhone 17e in this specific category.
Video playback
- iPhone 17e - Up to 26 hours
- iPhone 16e - Up to 26 hours
- iPhone 17 - Up to 30 hours
- iPhone Air - Up to 27 hours
- iPhone 17 Pro - Up to 33 hours
- iPhone 17 Pro Max - Up to 39 hours
Video playback (streamed)
- iPhone 17e - Up to 21 hours
- iPhone 16e - Up to 21 hours
- iPhone 17 - Up to 27 hours
- iPhone Air - Up to 22 hours
- iPhone 17 Pro - Up to 30 hours
- iPhone 17 Pro Max - Up to 35 hours
There’s no confirmation on whether the iPhone 17e houses the same battery capacity as its immediate predecessor, so we’ll have to wait for an elaborate teardown to answer this elusive question. However, given that the rest of the specifications remain consistent between the two smartphone generations, we’re inclined to believe that Apple didn’t bother upgrading the battery.
As for what has been upgraded this year, the iPhone 17e ships with a binned A19 with a 6-core CPU and a 4-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, plus the more powerful C1X 5G modem that’s found in the significantly more expensive iPhone Air. You also get MagSafe charging, double the internal storage at the same price, and added protection from the front thanks to Ceramic Shield 2.
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
