'This is insanity for $600': Apple fans BLAST the new iPhone 17e - as one claims it 'looks like the iPhone 5'
Yesterday, Apple shocked tech fans by quietly announcing its new iPhone 17e smartphone.At £599 ($599 in the US), the 'budget' iPhone 17e costs the same as the previous iPhone 16e, but comes with twice as much storage.However, many Apple fans aren't satisfied with the tech giant's upgrades, with dozens taking to social media to vent their frustrations.'This is insanity for $600,' one furious fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).Another blasted the new smartphone, writing: 'iPhone 17e?? This s*** looks like the iPhone 5.'While some Apple fans welcomed the upgraded storage and relatively modest price, the lack of design changes has proved to be a source of irritation.In particular, fans were infuriated by the fact that the iPhone 17e still uses a cutout 'notch' to hide the front camera and microphone rather than the new dynamic island.Likewise, keen tech enthusiasts noted that the display on the iPhone 17e still only has a 60Hz refresh rate – well below the current standard of 120Hz. At £599 ($599 in the US), the 'budget' iPhone 17e (pictured) costs the same as the previous iPhone 16e, but comes with twice as much storage. But tech fans aren't happy At £599 ($599 in the US), the 'budget' iPhone 17e costs the same as the previous iPhone 16e, but comes with twice as much storage On X, one commenter wrote: 'Oh my gosh. 60HZ and a notch. That's unbelievable.'Another chimed in: 'No Dynamic Island is a joke!''Idc that it has a notch but 60hz makes it unusable e–waste in 2026,' one commenter viciously added.Meanwhile, one Apple fan mused: 'I love 17e pink iPhone but why can't they make it come with two cam [camera] at least and remove the notch.'Other tech fans were more frustrated with Apple's claim that the iPhone 17e represents a great value option.Although the new phone is a major upgrade from the iPhone 16e at the same price, some pointed out that it was only £200 ($200 in the US) to upgrade to the significantly more feature–packed iPhone 17.One social media user suggested: 'iPhone 17 – great value for $800. iPhone 17e – the worst value for $600.''Why 17e even exist in the first place? 17 base model ticks all the box. With only 200 dollar different,' another added. In particular, fans were infuriated by the fact that the iPhone 17e still uses a cutout 'notch' to hide the front camera and microphone rather than the new dynamic island One commenter called the budget price 'insanity' for an iPhone with only one front camera and the much–despised notch Keen tech enthusiasts noted that the display on the iPhone 17e still only has a 60Hz refresh rate, well below the current standard of 120Hz iPhone 17e: Key specs Display: 6.1–inch Super Retina XDRCamera: 48MP Fusion Colours: Black, white, and soft pinkPrice: £599/$599 for 256GB of storageCharging: MagSafe and Qi2 for fast wireless chargingAvailability: Pre–order March 4, with availability starting March 11 As another quipped: 'That's robbery.'However, the iPhone 17e hasn't been universally unloved, and many fans have been extremely excited about the release.One excited commenter wrote: 'Wait this is actually perfect, none of that camera button and dynamic island nonsense. Literally the perfect iPhone.''I'm loving Apple's trend of making 256GB the base storage,' added another.And one said: 'Wait, 256GB base storage for $599? If that's real, Apple is finally listening.'The A19 chip in a budget model is actually insane value.'Bucking the trend for elaborate launch events, Apple skipped the fanfare as it unveiled the new iPhone 17e yesterday evening via a post on its newsroom.The biggest selling point is that Apple has upped the base storage from 126GB on the iPhone 16e to 256GB without increasing the price. One of the most exciting new features is support for MagSafe charging, which many fans were disappointed was missing on the iPhone 16eThe iPhone 17e also includes the latest–generation A19 chip, which delivers 'exceptional' speed and performance, according to Apple.One of the most exciting new features is support for MagSafe charging, which many fans were disappointed was missing on the iPhone 16e.This not only enables fast wireless charging up to 15W but also opens the door to a range of new accessories, including chargers, wallets and camera accessories.Although the phone only has one rear camera, Apple claims that its 48MP 'Fusion camera' acts like 'two cameras in one'.The company says that the camera includes 'an optical–quality 2x Telephoto', allowing standard or zoomed photography.'iPhone 17e combines powerful performance and features our users love at an exceptional value, making it a compelling option for customers looking to upgrade to the iPhone 17 family,' said Kaiann Drance, Apple's vice–president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing.The iPhone 17e is available in three colours – black, white and a new soft pink – and in two storage options.Pre–orders don't begin until this Wednesday, with availability from Wednesday, March 11.THE TRILLION DOLLAR RISE OF APPLE1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1, 1976, as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.The first product was the Apple I. 1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market. Steve Jobs unveils Apple Computer Corporation's new Macintosh in California on February 6, 19841981: Jobs became chairman. 1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000. Steve Jobs, then-chief executive officer of Apple, with the iPhone2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.2007: Apple unveils the iPhone. 2010: The first iPad was unveiled.2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Jobs died in October from pancreatic cancer.2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones - the 6 and 6 Plus. 2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services. 2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California, with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device. 2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner's face. Jobs at an Apple event at the company's headquarters in Cupertino, California2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers. 2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.2020: In March, Apple closes all its brick-and-mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus. 2021: In an online virtual event in April, CEO Tim Cook declares Apple's goal of becoming carbon neutral for Earth Day. Later in the year, the iPhone 13 was announced. 2022: In September, the iPhone 14 was announced. One of the new features included a new sensor to detect if a user had been in a car crash, as well as an improved camera system. 2023: Apple brings back its 'Home Pod' after the first generation was discontinued. The 'Home Pod' can be seen as an alternative to Amazon's Alexa or Google Home, as it is powered by voice commands. 2024: Apple makes its first steps into artificial intelligence with the release of Apple Intelligence. The features are not all released at once, with many delayed until the following year.
