The iPhone 17E’s Biggest Rival Isn’t Budget Android Phones — It’s Older iPhones


The $599 iPhone 17E is a great new entry-level iOS device for someone that wants a budget-friendly phone with many of the premium features as Apple’s flagship phones. In her iPhone 17E review, my colleague Abrar Al-Heeti praised the phone’s feel, higher base storage of 256GB and the inclusion of MagSafe. But even with these perks, I can’t help but notice that there are several other iPhone options that might be a better match for someone shopping in this price range.

Watch this: iPhone 17E Packs More Features for the Same $599 Price

The iPhone 17E’s launch alongside the $599 MacBook Neo provides an interesting comparison for how Apple’s rolling out value options in these categories. The MacBook Neo is an excellent laptop for its price, but its competitors aren’t necessarily cheap Windows laptops or Chromebooks. The Neo is replacing older MacBook Air laptops that were selling at a discount, and is now Apple’s most affordable laptop.

But while the Neo is a compelling option for buying a brand new laptop over an older one, I don’t necessarily feel the same way about the iPhone 17E. There are a number of reasons to still consider an older iPhone instead of a brand-new iPhone 17E.

The iPhone 15 being held in someone's hand

A brand new iPhone 15 costs as low as $530, and has more camera features than the iPhone 17E.

John Kim/CNET

You can still get new iPhones for less than the 17E

Apple’s iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 have many of the same features as the iPhone 17E, but in lots of ways, they are better options. Both phones have a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera that’s similar to the single rear camera on the 17E. But the older flagship phones also have a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, which the iPhone 17E lacks, allowing for photos and videos of wider scenes at 0.5x magnification. And you can still buy both of them brand new for around the price of the 17E. At the time of writing, the iPhone 15 is $530 and the iPhone 16 is $630 at Best Buy when you activate it on AT&T or Verizon.

You can also buy both devices from Apple using its Certified Refurbished shop. While this technically means the devices were used, it also means Apple itself replaced any necessary parts and is essentially selling the device as new, complete with a warranty and the option to add AppleCare. Apple’s 128GB iPhone 15 is for $529, or if you want to match the iPhone 17E’s 256GB of storage, that model is $619. While that’s $20 above the iPhone 17E’s price, the more versatile dual-rear camera system is an easy reason to choose the iPhone 15, not to mention video features like Cinematic mode and Action mode, which aren’t available on the 17E.

Apple's iPhone 16

Apple’s iPhone 16 does support Apple Intelligence and comes with an Action button.

James Martin/CNET

You do lose Apple Intelligence access by choosing the iPhone 15, but at this time, you aren’t missing out on much, since features like an enhanced Siri are still in the works. Another option is a $619 refurbished iPhone 16 which supports Apple Intelligence and has a programmable Action button, but only comes with 128GB of storage. Stepping up to 256GB costs256GB takes you to $699, which isn’t bad, but you’re now looking at a $100 upcharge from the iPhone 17E’s $599 price to get that ultrawide camera.

While these options let you buy a device that’s new or essentially new, if you’re OK with buying a used phone from a third-party seller, you could get an iPhone 15 Pro with a little bit of work.

Comparing new and refurbished iPhones

Phone Price Storage Retailer Condition
iPhone 15 $529 128GB Apple Refurbished
iPhone 15* $530 128GB Best Buy New
iPhone 17E $599 256GB Apple New
iPhone 15 $619 256GB Apple Refurbished
iPhone 16 $619 128GB Apple Refurbished
iPhone 16* $630 128GB Best Buy New
iPhone 16 $699 256GB Apple Refurbished
iPhone 16* $730 256GB Best Buy New
iPhone 15 $789 512GB Apple Refurbished
iPhone 17E $799 512GB Apple New
iPhone 16 $869 512GB Apple Refurbished
* with cellular service

iPhone 15 Pro Max

The iPhone 15 Pro is easy to find on the used market, and has a lot of perks that the 17E does not have.

James Martin/CNET

Going used can get you an iPhone 15 Pro — but watch for tradeoffs

I closely follow the used phone market and recently tried out a used iPhone 13 Mini to see how it holds up four years after its release. I frequently see used 2023 iPhone 15 Pros at tempting prices in “Renewed” condition on sites like Amazon, Gazelle and BackMarket.

Watch this: I Try Out a Used iPhone 13 Mini in 2025. Can It Be a Better Buy Than an iPhone Air?

Feature-wise, the iPhone 15 Pro blows the iPhone 17E out of the water in every way but processing power. You get three cameras, including a 3x telephoto lens, along with an A17 Pro processor that can tap into Apple Intelligence.

As of this writing, on Amazon, for instance, the 512GB iPhone 15 Pro sells between $557 to $600, depending on the color. That’s the price for an iPhone with at least 80% of its original battery capacity (Apple recommends replacing an iPhone battery when its maximum capacity drops to 80% or lower). The Renewed Premium editioncomes with a battery with a maximum capacity of 90% and costs roughly $620. In both cases, the phones might have visible wear, but nothing that should affect your ability to use the phone.

iPhone 13 Mini battery health screen.

When I tried out a used iPhone 13 Mini, I was constantly bothered by its reduced battery capacity.

Mike Sorrentino/CNET

But notice my emphasis on battery life: My refurbished iPhone 13 Mini’s battery was at 83% capacity, and incredibly frustrating to use. And even though I have a phone insurance credit card perk that would cover the cost of a battery replacement (without insurance, the cost is $69 for the 13 Mini, and $99 for the iPhone 15 and 16), that’s only at official Apple retail stores and they only replace it when the battery goes under 80% capacity. If you’re comfortable dismantling your phone, there are also kits for replacing a phone battery yourself, but that’s very much an “at your own risk” kind of thing. Third-party repair places are also an option for battery replacements but will void the warranty (if there’s any left on the phone).

Many used phones come with a warranty but may have a limited return window. Even if it’s short, this return window can be nice because it gives you time to live with the actual battery life day-to-day. When I bought the used iPhone 13 Mini, it came with a 90-day return period, and I discovered within 15 days that I was having issues with that phone’s battery. Otherwise, you could be looking at adding an extra $99 to pay for Apple to replace the battery, which still might be a deal in terms of the price overall.

The iPhone 17E on a stack of books

The iPhone 17E atop a pile of books.

Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET

You have lots of options if you want a sub-$600 iPhone

The iPhone 17E is a good option for a new phone. It has the latest processor, just enough comfort features like MagSafe, and plenty of local storage for photos and videos. But it’s important to know your options if you’re shopping within this price range for iOS devices, which — now that the iPhone SE line has been retired — are few and far between these days.

You could save money by going for the iPhone 15, especially if you’re upgrading from an older iPhone. Or if you’re comfortable with going used, you can get an iPhone 15 Pro, as long as you pay attention to potential issues like reduced battery capacity.

I’ve listed all the options and their specs next to each other in the following chart for further comparison. That way, you can decide whether you’d rather get a new iPhone 17E or an older iPhone with potentially more features for around the same price.

Apple iPhone 17E vs. Apple iPhone 16, Apple iPhone 15, Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Apple iPhone 17E Apple iPhone 16 Apple iPhone 15 Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Display size, resolution 6.1-inch OLED display; 2,532×1,170 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556 x 1,179 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 120Hz adaptive
Pixel density 460 ppi 460 ppi 460 ppi 460 ppi
Dimensions (inches) 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 in 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in 5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 in
Dimensions (millimeters) 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 mm
Weight (ounces, grams) 167g (5.88 oz.) 170 g (6 oz.) 171g (6.02 oz) 187g (6.6 oz)
Mobile software iOS 26 iOS 26 iOS 26 iOS 26
Camera 48-megapixel (wide) 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (3x telephoto)
Front-facing camera 12-megapixel 12-megapixel 12-megapixel 12-megapixel
Video capture 4K 4K 4K 4K
Processor Apple A19 Apple A18 A16 Bionic A17 Pro
RAM/Storage RAM unknown + 256GB, 512GB RAM N/A + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB RAM N/A + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB RAM N/A + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Expandable storage None None  None None
Battery/Charger 4,005 mAh. 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W Undisclosed; Up to 22 hours video playback; up to 18 hours video playback (streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher; Qi2 up to 15W Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 23 hours of video playback (20 hours streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W
Fingerprint sensor None (Face ID) None (Face ID) None (Face ID) None (Face ID)
Connector USB-C (USB 2.0) USB-C (USB 2.0) USB-C (USB 2.0) USB-C (USB 3.0)
Headphone jack None None None None
Special features Apple Intelligence, MagSafe, Qi2 charging (up to 15W), Action button, Apple C1 5G modem,  Ceramic Shield, Emergency SOS, satellite connectivity, IP68 resistance Apple Intelligence, MagSafe, Action button, Camera Control button, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2,000 nits display brightness range, IP68 resistance. Colors: black, white, pink, teal, ultramarine. Dynamic Island; 5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity Apple Intelligence, 5G (mmw/Sub6), Action Button, Always-On display, IP68 rating, MagSafe, Dynamic Island, 5x optical zoom (120mm equivalent), satellite connectivity, eSIM, Thread networking technology





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Michelin is a French multinational company that many consumers consider to be one of the most satisfying major tire brands. This firm makes several tire models that offer comfort, performance, all-terrain prowess, and everything in between — including cutting-edge products like the $42,000-per-set Michelin Pilot Sport PAX that it developed specifically for the Bugatti Veyron. Aside from its own tires, Michelin also owns other tire brands that you might be familiar with, including BFGoodrich, Achilles, and Corsa.

While tires are what Michelin is known for, the company has put its name to more than the rubber that wraps around your car’s rims. In fact, the company sells several other products that aren’t tires. So, we’re listing a few Michelin-branded items that you can buy online and in retail stores. While they might not all be made of rubber or even related to vehicles, these tools and accessories can come in handy when keeping your car — and even yourself — in good shape.

Michelin tire inflator

Since Michelin is primarily known for its tires, it makes sense for the company to sell a Michelin-branded tire inflator as well. That way, if you get a flat on one of the Michelin tires on your car or want to regularly top up your car’s tire pressure to maintain optimum performance, you can use a Michelin-branded pump to fill up your tires. The company actually sells several types of inflators on its Amazon page, but it only offers a single motorized unit — the Michelin Micro Tyre Inflator, which is available on Amazon for $98.99.

This little device is only slightly wider than an iPhone 17 and weighs about 400 grams, or 14 ounces. This means it’s easy to store in your car and to move to whichever tire needs topping up. More importantly, it takes power from a 12-volt socket, allowing you to run it using your car’s battery. It also has a USB port for charging your phone (or any other USB device) in case of an emergency.

Some users say that the device is slow, taking about 12 minutes to bring a tire from 10 to 32 PSI, but that’s not unexpected given its small size. Still, it should be good enough for regular weekly maintenance if you know your car’s proper tire pressure, or in case of an emergency. Its biggest downside is that you need a power source to run it, but having a dead battery and a flat tire simultaneously is likely a rare occurrence in many modern cars.

Michelin mini fridge

Taking a road trip during the summer can get you thirsty, and there’s no better way to quench that thirst than by drinking a cool can of soda (or your beverage of choice). If you want to ensure that you’ll always have a cold drink ready while you’re driving on the freeway, Michelin’s mini fridge will help you with that. This nifty little refrigerator is available on Amazon for just $99.99 and can be connected to either 110V AC or 12V DC power, ensuring that it will work on both your desk and in your car.

The mini fridge measures 6.9 x 9.45 x 10 inches (17.5 x 24 x 25.4 cm), meaning it can easily fit on a garage shelf or office desk. It should also be small enough to put on the floor of your car. Despite that relatively small size, it’s large enough to fit six 350-ml cans or four 500-ml bottles, and it will keep these items at a chilly 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 degrees Celsius. It also has an LED light on the door, so it can double as a night light if necessary.

Aside from keeping your drinks (and other food items) below room temperature, it also has a few other creature comforts. These include a removable shelf and door basket for flexibility and easy cleaning, as well as a retractable carry handle and a self-locking door to make transportation easier.

Michelin car floor mats

Heavy-duty car floor mats are often made from rubber for durability and water resistance, and since Michelin is in the business of rubber, it makes sense for the company to offer exactly that. So, if you want to protect your vehicle’s floor from dirt, dust, and mud, the company can help you with its Michelin all-weather car floor mats. This four-piece package is available on Amazon for $49.99 and comes in either black or tan.

The surface of these floor mats is specially designed to trap debris, snow, and water, preventing them from ruining the carpet on your vehicle. The mats have a cleat backing that grips your car’s floor and prevents them from slipping. The front row mats also come with what Michelin calls a Gripclip Retention System, allowing them to clip into your vehicle’s safety clips and adding even more reassurance that they won’t accidentally slip while you’re driving and pose a hazard to your safety.

These mats are universal and will work in most vehicles. However, they’re also easy to customize: If you find them a bit too large for the footwell of your tiny hatchback, you can use a pair of scissors to trim the edges for a perfect fit.

Michelin Stealth Ultra wiper blades

While Michelin’s Stealth Ultra wiper blades aren’t generally considered among the best windshield wipers, they appear to be a pretty good choice given their four-star rating on Amazon. These wipers cost $49.99 and are available in various size combinations for all sorts of cars. This ensures that no matter what vehicle you’re driving, you can probably find a set that will fit your needs.

These Michelin wipers are curved to conform to the shape of your windscreen for a clean, streak-free wipe. The company’s Amazon listing claims that these are designed to “withstand rain, wind, snow, mud, dust, or any other debris that might hamper your windshield’s visibility.” While you might think that windshield wipers are pretty simple items, and that you can just purchase any generic wipers off the internet, you must remember that they’re essential so that you have the best visibility possible during inclement weather. So, for your safety, consider investing in a set from a reputable brand like Michelin.

Michelin work boots

Michelin is known for making rubber tires to put on your car’s “feet,” but did you know it also makes shoes for the driver’s feet? The company makes sports & outdoor footwear, as well as shoes for work and safety. For this example, we have the Michelin HydroEdge Steel Toe waterproof work boot, listed for $210 on Amazon and at Georgia Boot. This shoe is available in U.S. sizes from 7.5 up to 14, ensuring that no matter what size you wear, you can get a Michelin work boot for yourself.

As the name suggests, this pair of shoes has steel toes to protect your feet from accidental impacts and is fully waterproof to help keep your feet dry, even in supposedly severe conditions. It also meets ASTM F2413 standards for electrical protection, meaning it has fully insulating soles to protect you from electrical hazards at work. Michelin also added what it calls an Advanced Rear Suspension system to its heel, ensuring proper shock absorption when you walk.





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