The e-branded iPhones emerged as Apple’s response to growing demand in the mid-range smartphone segment. Although Apple had previously attempted to gain a foothold in the affordable smartphone market with the iPhone SE series, the iPhone 16e refined that effort, and the momentum is expected to continue with the upcoming iPhone 17e.
The iPhone 16e performed well in the market. According to CIRP, this mid-range iPhone accounted for 11% of total U.S. iPhone sales in its first full quarter of availability, outperforming the iPhone SE, which captured only 5% of sales.
When to expect the new iPhone 17e
It was previously reported that Apple plans to kick off 2026 with a wave of product refreshes, including the iPhone 17e. According to the German outlet Macwelt, the iPhone 17e is scheduled to be unveiled on February 19, 2026, most likely through a press release, as it is not a flagship device.
Additionally, Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman wrote in this week’s Power On newsletter that he expects the iPhone 17e to arrive “imminently.” All things considered, the new affordable iPhone is expected to hit store shelves in February, following the same launch timeline as the iPhone 16e.
iPhone 17e specifications
The iPhone 17e is not expected to be a major departure from last year’s model. However, it is likely to offer several meaningful upgrades that will make it more appealing to customers, particularly in emerging markets or to those looking to purchase a second iPhone.
Here are the expected specifications of the iPhone 17e, based on everything we’ve heard from tipsters and various sources over the past few months:
- 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate
- Apple A19 chip paired with 8GB of RAM
- 48MP single rear camera and 12MP front-facing camera
- New C1X modem
- N1 chip for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Thread connectivity
- 4,005mAh battery with MagSafe support
- Starting price: $599
Adding MagSafe support is likely the most notable upgrade in this year’s iPhone 17e. The absence of MagSafe was one of the biggest drawbacks of the iPhone 16e.
Additionally, the new A19 chip and the C1X modem, which is claimed to be up to twice as fast as the C1, could further enhance the iPhone 17e’s appeal. If Apple keeps the price at $599, the iPhone 17e could have a strong chance of outperforming the iPhone 16e in terms of sales.