What to know about the iPhone 17e and MacBook Neo
What to know about the iPhone 17e and MacBook Neo
Publish Date: 2026-03-06 15:30:00
Source Domain: creators.yahoo.com
For years, buying into the Apple ecosystem has often meant paying premium prices. But with the introduction of the iPhone 17e and the new MacBook Neo, the company appears to be leaning harder into something many consumers have long been asking for: more affordable entry points.
The two devices were recently introduced as lower-cost alternatives to Apple’s flagship products, targeting buyers who want the reliability and polish of Apple hardware without paying top-tier prices. And if you qualify for education pricing, the cost may be even lower.
To get some expert thoughts on these two new products, I checked in with Rich DeMuro, tech reporter for KTLA 5 Morning News and host of the Rich on Tech radio show (his tech-focused newsletter, which you can sign up for here, is a must-read for all levels of skill and interest.) He says both devices are built with everyday users in mind.
“I would say the iPhone 17e and the MacBook Neo are a good value for a lot of buyers. They’re aimed at people who simply want something that works,” DeMuro said.
A simpler iPhone for everyday users
The iPhone 17e is designed as a more accessible version of Apple’s flagship smartphones. While it lacks some of the premium features found on higher-end models, it still delivers the core experience most people expect from an iPhone.
“If you don’t use your phone heavily and mainly want to make calls, send messages, take photos, and run everyday apps, the iPhone 17e should do the job,” DeMuro explained.
Compared with the more expensive iPhone models, the biggest differences come down to advanced features.
“For example, the iPhone 17e doesn’t have as many camera lenses as the iPhone 17 or 17 Pro,” he said. Still, it retains many of the essentials users expect from modern Apple devices.
“For example, the iPhone 17e still includes many of the features people expect from a modern iPhone, including MagSafe, which Apple added to this model, along with improvements like better portrait…
