remains the "hardware champion" for those who want the absolute best specifications.

has received the most significant "base model" upgrade in years.

If you are looking for the most affordable entry point into the latest generation, the iPhone 17e

: It sacrifices a bit of raw battery capacity for an ultra-slim profile that is significantly easier to handle than the Pro Max.

offers the core technical specifications of the 17 series in a more budget-friendly package, though it typically lacks the ProMotion display and advanced camera sensors found in the higher tiers.