Apple bakes in AI smarts into its new $599 iPhone 17e

Apple has introduced the iPhone 17e, a budget-friendly model priced at $599, set for release on March 11, 2026. This new iPhone features the A19 chip found in the base iPhone 17 and supports Apple Intelligence. It offers 256 GB of storage, doubling the entry-level capacity from the previous generation. Notably, the iPhone 17e now includes MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging capabilities, allowing up to 15W charging. The device comes in black, white, and a new soft pink color. Additional enhancements include the C1X cellular modem, which Apple claims is twice as fast as the previous C1 modem in the iPhone 16e while consuming 30% less energy. The camera remains a 48-megapixel sensor, consistent with the iPhone 16e. The phone features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display protected by Ceramic Shield 2, offering triple the scratch resistance of its