The iPhone 17e still won’t be good enough to lure Android users
Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Macworld analyzes the upcoming iPhone 17e against the Google Pixel 10a, highlighting Apple’s difficulty competing in the budget smartphone market.
- The $599 iPhone 17e appears to offer less value than the $499 Pixel 10a, which features dual cameras, a 120Hz display, and superior AI photography capabilities.
- Apple’s device retains outdated elements like a single rear camera, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a notched design, while lacking competitive features expected by Android users.
Apple and Google are preparing the latest versions of their entry-level smartphones. On February 18, the Pixel 10a will debut with a reworked Tensor G4 processor and support a full year of operating system updates. Around the same time, Apple is expected to release the iPhone 17e, featuring MagSafe compatibility and improved chips.
On the surface, both updates appear to be gradual. But a closer look at the rumored specs suggests that the Pixel 10a will still offer the highest overall value for budget-conscious smartphone buyers. Not only will the iPhone 17e likely cost $100 more, but rumor has it it will still be missing several key upgrades that have been standard on the budget Pixel line for some time.
Camera: two are better than one
Photographers and content creators have long praised flagship iPhones for the exceptional camera systems they contain. Professional users can choose between ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto lenses, allowing them to photograph close and distant subjects. However, despite Apple’s undeniable interest in mobile photography, its efforts don’t translate as clearly beyond the flagship lineup.
When Apple introduced the iPhone SE with a single rear camera in 2020, the decision was arguably justified at the time due to the phone’s low cost. However, this is no longer the case. The company now charges mid-range prices for its “e” iPhones, while still offering budget-friendly phone processing for its cameras. The iPhone 17e won’t be cheap and ruling out a second rear lens doesn’t make sense.
The iPhone 17e will likely only have a single rear camera.
David Price / Foundry
Things get trickier for Apple when comparing the iPhone 17e to its main rival, Google’s Pixel 10a. Budget Pixel phones have offered ultra-wide and wide rear cameras for a few years, although they cost significantly less than Apple’s “e” iPhones. If Google did it, why couldn’t Apple?
Another win for the Pixel 10a camera is Google’s superior AI photography features. Those who opt for Android will be able to use exclusive photography perks, like Best Take, and apply advanced edits not available natively on iOS. And we don’t expect the iPhone 17e to introduce any new tricks that don’t already exist on the iPhone 17.
Display: Half the hertz hurts
In an age dominated by digital media, the smartphone display matters a lot. Google’s Pixel 10a also wins this round, as it will offer a bigger, brighter and smoother screen. The iPhone 17e will reportedly stick to the outdated 60Hz refresh rate, while the Android-based alternative will once again offer 120Hz for smoother animations. Likewise, the 6.3-inch Pixel 10a will have almost twice the brightness of the 6.1-inch iPhone 17e, making it more usable outdoors.
The notch from the iPhone 16e will likely still be present on the 17th.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
Design: retro is no longer trendy
Apple essentially ended the notch when it released the iPhone 14 Pro with Dynamic Island in 2022. Nonetheless, Apple continues to pester the iPhone “e” line with the horrible notch, making the phone look dated. The Pixel 10a, on the other hand, will offer the punch-hole front camera design that has been rumored for the iPhone for years – and looks significantly more futuristic.
Other design mishaps include the limited color selection for the “e” iPhones. Apple offers the iPhone 16e in black or white, and its successor is expected to follow suit. Conversely, the Pixel 9a comes in four finishes, including more dynamic options, and the 10a will be no different. Bright colors shouldn’t be exclusive to flagship phone customers Apple.
Battery: Just enough vs long lasting
The iPhone 17e and Pixel 10a are expected to have similar batteries to their predecessors. As such, it can be assumed that the Pixel 10a will also have longer battery life than the iPhone 17e. The next iPhone will likely adopt Apple’s more efficient A19 processor, C1X modem and N1 networking chip, but these are unlikely to have a huge impact on power consumption.
Otherwise, the Pixel 10a will feature a USB 3.2 connector for charging and data transfer, while Apple will continue to limit iPhone “e” users to the older USB 2 port. On the plus side, iPhone 17e users might finally be able to use MagSafe chargers and accessories, while the Pixel 10a will likely stick to basic Qi wireless charging.
The iPhone 17e will reportedly benefit from MagSafe, but not much else to entice buyers to switch.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
Price: $100 is a very long time
Above all, budget smartphone buyers care more about price than features: they just want a smartphone that can take photos and make calls without spending a fortune. This is where Google wins again. The 128GB Pixel 10a would retain its predecessor’s $499 starting price, while the 128GB iPhone 17e would continue to start at $599. A $100 price difference is considerable in the budget smartphone market.
In the past, Apple loyalists were more than willing to pay a higher price and settle for lower specs due to ecosystem lock-in. However, the past is over. Today, Google offers many features that were previously only available on iPhones: AirDrop support on its Pixel phones, RCS for an iMessage-like experience, and guaranteed seven years of feature updates.
We’ve reached a point where it’s much easier to migrate data and use cross-platform apps that run on non-Apple platforms. As a result, many customers will no longer be pressured to spend more on a less capable device when there are better options available.
