Abstract created by Sensible Solutions AI
In abstract:
- Macworld studies the iPhone 17e is anticipated to launch round March 4, 2026, that includes an A19 chip, Dynamic Island changing the notch, and MagSafe assist.
- The budget-friendly gadget could begin at $599 with 256GB base storage, an upgraded 18MP entrance digicam, and thinner bezels on its 6.1-inch OLED show.
- Apple goals to keep up aggressive pricing by cheaper OLED panels from BOE, Samsung, and LG whereas positioning it under the usual iPhone 17.
Apple launched a brand new collection of iPhones on the finish of 2025: the iPhone 17, 17 Professional and 17 Professional Max, in addition to a model new iPhone Air, however there was no new iPhone 17e for these hoping for an replace to the funds iPhone.
This wasn’t a shock: Apple launched the iPhone 16e in February 2025 to interchange the iPhone SE, so an replace to the iPhone “e” collection telephones wasn’t anticipated to reach till early 2026.
For those who’re contemplating shopping for an iPhone 17e, that is the place to maintain updated on its growth. We’ll maintain monitor of the most recent studies and supply our evaluation that will help you resolve if the iPhone 17e is the proper telephone for you.
What’s new for the reason that final replace to this text: It’s a yr for the reason that iPhone 16e launch on February 19 2025, will the iPhone 17e arrive in the present day? In all probability not, but it surely’s more likely to arrive earlier than, or on, March 4.
At a look: iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e
| Specification / Function | iPhone 16e | iPhone 17e |
|---|---|---|
| Launch / Launch | February 2025 | March 4 (Doable) |
| Beginning Value | $599 | $599 (anticipated) |
| Design & Show | 6.1-inch OLED, 60 Hz notch, black and white shade choices | 6.1-inch OLED, 60 Hz, Dynamic Island (rumored), black and white shade choices |
| Chip (CPU / Efficiency) | A18 chip | A19 chip |
| Modem / Connectivity | C1 modem (5G) | C1X modem + N1 wi-fi chip |
| MagSafe Assist | No MagSafe (Qi solely) | MagSafe |
| Base Storage | From 128GB | From 256GB (rumored) |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Rear Digital camera | 48 MP single digicam | 48 MP single digicam |
| Entrance Digital camera | 12 MP | 18 MP square-sensor digicam (rumored) |
| Charging Speeds | Normal Qi wi-fi (~7.5 W) | Quicker MagSafe (~20-25 W) (in all probability) |
Just like the iPhone 16e and the iPhone Air, the iPhone 17e will probably have a single again digicam.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
iPhone 17e: Launch date
- March 4 launch – doable
The iPhone 16e arrived on February 19, 2025, so there was some hope that Apple may introduce its substitute on February 19 a yr later… With that date now right here it’s trying unlikely.
Nonetheless, there may be an “Apple Particular Expertise” arising on March 4, 2026, with media being invited to satisfy Apple execs in at the least three world areas. It’s usually thought these conferences will tie to new Apple product launches. There are a selection of different new product launches anticipated together with a refreshed iPad Air, new entry-level iPad, M5 MacBook Air, M5 Professional/MaxMacBook Professional, and a model new low price MacBook.
An occasion on March 4 – even when Apple isn’t referring to it as an occasion – is nice timing for Apple to launch the brand new iPhone 17e as a result of it’s proper in the course of the Cellular World Congress.
In response to numerous studies, the iPhone 17e has entered check manufacturing runs to arrange it for a spring 2026 launch.
A rumor in early January mentioned the iPhone 17e will go into manufacturing following CES (which ended January 9). That is unsurprising, because it follows the identical sample because the iPhone 16e.
iPhone 17e: Specs: What’s new for the iPhone 17e
- A19 with one fewer GPU than iPhone 17 – probably
- MagSafe assist – probably
- C1X modem – doable
- 256GB SSD – doable
Apple’s determination to introduce the iPhone 16e in February 2025 represented a big shift in its product technique, shifting away from the sporadic launch cycle of the iPhone SE towards a extra predictable, annual “e-series” lineup. This transition was pushed by a number of strategic imperatives, starting from the need of supporting new AI applied sciences to the need to check in-house {hardware} elements in a lower-risk setting.
To keep up a beginning value of $599 whereas together with the high-end A18 chip, Apple made a number of calculated omissions that differentiate the 16e from the usual iPhone 16.
The iPhone 17e is anticipated to deal with a number of the shortcomings of the iPhone 16e with a couple of key design refinements (a Dynamic Island is rumored), extra storage on the entry-level, MagSafe assist and an up to date processor (the A19).
Processor: Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and others have reported that the iPhone 17e can have an A19 chip, which is not any actual shock. If so, it could be a barely much less highly effective than the A19 chip utilized by the iPhone 17. Apple makes use of binned chips within the “e” collection, so Tte A18 within the iPhone 16e has one fewer GPU core than the A18 in the usual iPhone 16; and the A19 within the iPhone 17e will probably have one fewer GPU core than the iPhone 17.
MagSafe: A December 2025 report in The Info claimed that Apple will add MagSafe assist to the iPhone 17e, one of many options that’s notably lacking from the 16e. After we reviewed the 16e, the shortage of MagSafe was one among its main shortcomings. A Macworld supply in February 2026 claimed that the iPhone 17e will characteristic 25W MagSafe wi-fi charging.
Modem: Apple’s C1 modem first appeared within the iPhone 16e, and rumors recommend the iPhone 17e will use the identical modem. Nonetheless, it may take the newer C1X modem as discovered within the iPhone 17 collection, which is outwardly two occasions quicker than the C1 whereas utilizing 30% much less vitality.
Storage: There are options that the iPhone 17e may comply with the iPhone 17 with 256GB at the start line, up from 128GB. Nonetheless, in February 2026 Apple leaker, John Prosser mentioned he expects the baseline storage to remain at 128GB.
iPhone 17e: How the iPhone 17e show shall be completely different
- Dynamic Island as a substitute of notch – doable
David Value / Foundry
Display measurement: The iPhone 17 has a 6.3-inch display screen, which is bigger than that of the iPhone 16 (6.1-inch). The iPhone 17e shouldn’t be anticipated to get a much bigger display screen. It is going to probably sport a 6.1-inch OLED show with a 60Hz refresh charge, the identical because the iPhone 16e.
Dynamic Island: Digital Chat Station reported in August 2025 that the show can have a Dynamic Island – a change from the notch on the iPhone 16e.
OLED: In December 2025, Korean web site, The Elec reported that BOE will present OLED shows to Apple for the iPhone 17e. BOE additionally supplied OLEDs for the iPhone 16e. Samsung Show and LG Show are anticipated to additionally present 17e shows.
Bezels: The show, based on The Elec, can have thinner bezels than the 16e.
iPhone 17e: Cameras
- 18MP entrance digicam with sq. sensor – probably
The iPhone 17e will probably proceed to have a single 48MP digicam on the again however the 12MP digicam on the entrance (as seen on the iPhone 16e) may get an replace in keeping with the iPhone 17 collection).
The front-facing cameras throughout the iPhone 17 vary have all been up to date to 18MP, so it’s doable that the iPhone 17e will see the identical replace to the selfie digicam. In that case, it is going to additionally embody a sq. sensor able to taking images in any orientation with out requiring the person to rotate the telephone.
The notch could also be changed by the Dynamic Island within the iPhone 17e.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
iPhone 17e: Design & Colours
- Digital Island more likely to be solely seen exterior change
Colours: There have been no studies referring to the iPhone 17e’s colours. The iPhone 16e is out there in black or white, and we anticipate the identical for the iPhone 17e.
Design: No modifications are anticipated for the design, though, as talked about above, the brand new iPhone 17e may have a Digital Island as a substitute of the notch on the high of the display screen. There’s a risk that the there may very well be thinner bezels than the 16e, based on The Elec.
iPhone 17e: Value
A January 2026 report on Wccftech means that Apple has been in a position to cut back prices for the brand new iPhone 17e, in order that the worth gained’t enhance. That is because of decrease prices for the OLED panels Apple is utilizing.
The iPhone 16e begins at $599/£599, and Apple is anticipated to cost the iPhone 17e at $599 as effectively, although no studies have been made thus far. Tariffs and manufacturing price will increase could have an effect on the worth, however for the reason that “e” collection is taken into account Apple’s lowest-priced iPhone, the worth wouldn’t exceed that of the iPhone 17, which begins at $799, and the iPhone 16, whose value has been decreased to start out at $699.
