Apple iPhone 17e vs Apple iPhone 16e: which should you buy?
Apple iPhone 17e£599256GB storage, price recorded 8 Aug 2026
Apple iPhone 16e£499128GB storage, price recorded 30 Jul 2026
The short answer
Choose the iPhone 17e for double the storage and magnetic accessories. Choose the 16e only if it is cheaper and battery life matters more to you than those.
The differences that matter
Apple iPhone 17eApple iPhone 16e
Storage, as reviewed256GB128GB
CamerasSingle rear camera; no ultrawide or separate zoom lensNo wide-view or macro camera
ScrollingLess fluid than many Android alternativesLess fluid than many Android alternatives
BatteryNot compared directlyA strong-battery choice
Magnetic accessoriesMagSafe and Qi2 up to 15W, with built-in magnetsNo magnetic charging or magnetic accessories
Which one fits you?
Choose the Apple iPhone 17e
You want a current iPhone with 256GB of storage.
Choose the Apple iPhone 16e
Battery comes first and you do not use magnetic charging or a second camera.
Keep what you have
An ultrawide camera or very smooth scrolling is essential.
Apple iPhone 17eThe easiest route into a current iPhone, with generous storage, provided you accept a single rear camera and a screen that scrolls less smoothly than many Android phones.
£599256GB storage, price recorded 8 Aug 2026
Check price on Amazon UKRead the full reviewApple iPhone 16eA strong-battery iPhone for people who do not need magnetic accessories or a second camera, and worth it only if the missing features would not bother you daily.
£499128GB storage, price recorded 30 Jul 2026
Check price on Amazon UKRead the full reviewPrice buttons are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are the ones recorded in each review; check the current price before buying.
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