The New iPhone 17e Is A Phone For Parents

New iPhone releases usually come with top-of-the-line features and have Apple devotees counting down the days until their devices arrive. Your tweens and teens may even ask if they can get one. But in most families, if a kid has a phone, it's a hand-me-down from mom or dad. And often it's many years old, because let's face it, kids are expensive and many parents don't often splash out on a new phone for themselves.

The iPhone 17e may just change that. While not exactly a steal at $899 CAD, it's less expensive than Apple's usual new drops. And it's got some impressive features that will help it last—and possibly become your kid's next hand-me-down in a few years.

What the iPhone 17e offers

Durability: Because you just might hand it over to your toddler, who will immediately drop it—possibly into the toilet. The iPhone 17e has a strong, lightweight aerospace-grade aluminum design and an IP68 rating (which is high) for splash, water, and dust resistance. The front of the phone features the Ceramic Shield 2, which is tougher and more scratch-resistant than any other smartphone glass.

New A19 Chip: This high-tech computer chip is up to twice as fast as the iPhone 11, and the 16-core Neural Engine makes running Apple Intelligence and other AI models incredibly fast. Now you can do a search for your kid's strange rash at lightning speed or play your favourite game (while pretending to fold laundry) without delays.

Crash detection and satellite safety: For ultimate peace of mind, the phone includes Crash Detection, which can detect a severe car accident and automatically dial emergency services if the user is unconscious or can't reach their phone. It also features groundbreaking satellite capabilities, allowing users to text friends, share their location via Find My, or connect with Emergency SOS even when entirely outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

Double the storage: The base model now starts at 256GB of storage, which is double what it usually is, giving you plenty of room for all those photos and videos.

Advanced camera system: The 48MP Fusion camera acts like two cameras in one, thanks to its optical-quality 2x Telephoto lens. It also features next-generation portraits that automatically save depth information when they recognize people, dogs, or cats, letting you easily blur the background or adjust the focus point after taking the photo. Those school concert photos just got better.

All-day battery life and fast charging: The phone delivers exceptional all-day battery life, helped in part by the new C1X cellular modem, which uses 30 percent less energy than the modem in the iPhone 16 Pro. When it is time to charge, it can reach up to 50 percent battery in about 30 minutes using a USB-C cable, and it supports fast 15W wireless charging with MagSafe and Qi2.

Apple Intelligence and iOS 26: The iPhone 17e comes equipped with iOS 26 and powerful Apple Intelligence features. These include Live Translation across apps like Messages and FaceTime, Visual intelligence that lets users ask questions about what's on their screen, and Call Screening to help manage unknown numbers.

Is there a way to make the phone more affordable?

Yes, parents can utilize Apple Trade In to get credit for older devices. For example, you can get up to $155 CAD in credit when trading in an iPhone 11 or up to $300 CAD for an iPhone 13. Apple also offers a monthly payment option starting at $37.46 CAD per month for 24 months.

What colours are available?

The iPhone 17e features a premium matte finish and comes in three colours: black, white, and a new soft pink. Apple is also releasing silicone cases with MagSafe in six colours—black, anchor blue, light moss, vanilla, bright guava and soft pink—as well as a clear case. Plus, new cross-body straps are available, meaning you're less likely to lose your phone—or drop it.

How eco-friendly is the iPhone 17e?

The iPhone 17e is made with 30 percent recycled content, which includes 85 percent recycled aluminum in its enclosure and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. It is manufactured using 55 percent renewable electricity, and the packaging is 100 percent fibre-based and easy to recycle.