Episode 979: iPhone 17e review

In this episode of the Macworld Podcast, hosts Michael Simon and David Price dive deep into the iPhone 17e review, with David sharing his hands-on experience with the device. He praises the phone's sleek design, particularly the thin profile of the iPhone Air, which he finds more satisfying than the thicker 17. Despite the 17e's downgrade in key areas—such as the single camera, slower MagSafe charging (15W vs. 25W on the 17), and lack of an always-on display—David finds these trade-offs negligible in daily use. He highlights the significant improvement in storage (now 256GB at the base price of $599), which he calls a major value boost, and notes that the battery life is solid, even outperforming the 16e and matching the iPhone Air. The review concludes with a strong recommendation for users upgrading from older models or switching from Android, especially those prioritizing design and value. The episode also features a nostalgic deep dive into Apple's 50th anniversary, with David’s top 50 Apple figures list, where Steve Jobs is rightfully crowned number one. The segment ends with a detailed retrospective on the 2010 iPhone 4 leak, a landmark moment in tech journalism that nearly led to legal action and reshaped Apple’s media relations. The hosts reflect on the cultural impact of leaks and the evolution of Apple’s secrecy culture.