GSM Arena review: iPhone 17e battery life and charging speed

GSM Arena’s iPhone 17e review highlights more than the official change list

GSM Arena has published its review of the iPhone 17e, and it turns out the handset brings a few welcome improvements that are not immediately obvious from the headline upgrades.

iPhone 17e battery life: a major leap despite the same battery

Much like Google’s Pixel 10a compared with the 9a, Apple has managed to deliver a clear boost in endurance without changing the battery capacity. Using the publication’s standardised test, the iPhone 16e achieved 11 hours 53 minutes, whereas the iPhone 17e reaches 15 hours 30 minutes - a sizeable 30% increase.

It is worth noting that, unlike Google’s pair of devices, the new iPhone does arrive with a new platform and a new modem. In terms of overall stamina, the iPhone 17e lands at roughly the same level as the iPhone 16/17 and the Pixel 10a. More importantly, it matches the iPhone 17 Pro as well.

Charging speed has increased slightly

The new model’s display is a touch brighter, although the difference is not dramatic. The iPhone 17e also tops up marginally faster over a 30-minute charge, and on a full charge the gap is more noticeable - the difference reaches 16 minutes.

Performance, MagSafe, and the same key compromise

According to the reviewers, the iPhone 17e is a more meaningful step up from its predecessor than it first appeared. Performance and battery life have improved, MagSafe has been added, and charging speed is a little better - but the 60Hz screen with a wide bezel remains the main trade-off.