iPhone 17e Launched, Priced Starting IDR 10 Million, 256GB Storage and 48MP Camera as Mainstays

JAKARTA - Apple officially introduced the iPhone 17e as the most affordable member of the iPhone 17 line. Although positioned as a more price-friendly variant, this device brings major improvements in terms of performance, camera, durability, and storage capacity which is now twice as large.

The iPhone 17e is powered by the latest generation A19 chip built with 3 nanometer technology. This chip features a 6-core CPU that is claimed to be up to twice as fast as the iPhone 11, as well as a 4-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing support for console-like gaming experience.

The upgraded 16-core Neural Engine is also optimized for large generative AI models and supports Apple Intelligence features to run faster than the previous generation.

In addition, the iPhone 17e is equipped with Apple's latest mobile modem, the C1X, which is said to be up to twice as fast as the C1 on the iPhone 16e. This modem is also claimed to be 30 percent more power efficient than the modem on the iPhone 16 Pro, helping to provide all-day battery life.

"iPhone 17e combines powerful performance and user-loved features with exceptional value, making it an attractive option for customers looking to upgrade to the iPhone 17 family," said Kaiann Drance, Vice President of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing Apple. "With A19 for exceptional performance, double the storage capacity, smarter camera system, and improved durability, iPhone 17e is designed to stay fast, secure, and relevant for years to come."

In terms of design, the iPhone 17e comes with an aerospace-grade aluminum body that is lightweight but sturdy, and has bagged IP68 certification for water and dust resistance. The screen uses a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with Ceramic Shield 2 that offers scratch resistance up to three times better than the previous generation and an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare. The peak brightness level reaches 1200 nits for HDR content.

Apple also embeds MagSafe on the iPhone 17e, allowing for wireless charging up to 15W via Qi2, up from 7.5W on the iPhone 16e. With fast charging via USB-C, the battery can be charged up to 50 percent in about 30 minutes.

In the camera sector, the iPhone 17e relies on a 48MP Fusion camera that supports optical-quality 2x Telephoto, bringing the sensation of two cameras in one device. By default, users can shoot in 24MP resolution for a balance of quality and file size, or maximize the 48MP resolution for sharper details.

Portrait mode is now improved with new image processing that produces a more natural bokeh effect. The system is also able to recognize people, dogs, and cats automatically, storing depth data so that the background blur effect can be adjusted after the photo is taken.

For video, the iPhone 17e supports 4K Dolby Vision recording up to 60 fps, Spatial Audio recording, and an Audio Mix feature for more flexible sound editing. A machine learning-based wind noise suppressor is also embedded for clearer audio quality.

Satellite-based safety features are also still available, including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages via satellite, and Find My via satellite when users are out of cellular and Wi-Fi range. In addition, the Crash Detection feature can detect serious car accidents and automatically contact emergency services if the user is unresponsive.

The iPhone 17e runs iOS 26 with a new Liquid Glass design and Apple Intelligence support. Live Translation is now available in Messages, FaceTime, Phone, and AirPods. Call Screening is also available to filter calls from unknown numbers and Hold Assist holds calls until an agent is available.

For storage, the iPhone 17e now comes with an initial capacity of 256GB, double that of the previous generation at the same price, and four times larger than the iPhone 12. The device starts at $599 for the 256GB variant.

The iPhone 17e is available in three colors with premium matte finishes: black, white, and soft pink. Pre-orders open from Wednesday, March 4, and the first sale starts on March 11.

In terms of the environment, Apple says the iPhone 17e is made with 30 percent recycled materials, including 85 percent recycled aluminum on the body and 100 percent recycled cobalt on the battery. The device is also produced using 55 percent renewable energy throughout the supply chain, as part of Apple's 2030 target for carbon neutrality.

With a combination of high performance, advanced cameras, large capacity, and more affordable prices, the iPhone 17e is positioned as the most attractive option for users who want to enter the iPhone 17 ecosystem without having to pay the highest flagship model price