Apple announced the iPhone 16e earlier this month as the newest addition to its iPhone 16 lineup. The latest iPhone, featuring Apple’s first cellular modem and the A18 chip, went on sale in India today. However, details about its successor, the iPhone 17e, have already started circulating online. A new leak suggests the possible launch timeline for the iPhone 17e, which is expected to debut a few months after the iPhone 17 series.
iPhone 17e Could Launch in February 2026
According to analysts at Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), Apple’s “e” series phones may become a regular part of its product lineup. The company is reportedly planning to launch the iPhone 17e “around this time next year,” meaning February 2026. The core iPhone 17 models are expected to be unveiled in September 2025, with the lineup rumored to include the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Slim, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
By releasing an affordable iPhone 17e in February, following the major launch event in September, Apple may be attempting to replicate Google’s Pixel series launch strategy. Google typically unveils its flagship Pixel phones during its annual spring event, followed by the more affordable Pixel A series during its Google I/O event in May.
Apple has not consistently followed a systematic launch timeline for its iPhone SE models. The first iPhone SE was launched in March 2016, the second in April 2020, and the third-generation model debuted in March 2022.
The CIRP report also suggests that Apple aims to replicate the success of the 2013 iPhone 5C with the new iPhone 16e. Analysts predict the iPhone 16e will perform better than other iPhone models, thanks to its features and positioning.
iPhone 16e Price and Specifications
The iPhone 16e is priced at Rs. 59,900 for the base model with 128GB of storage. The 256GB and 512GB variants are priced at Rs. 69,900 and Rs. 89,900, respectively. It is currently available for purchase in India.
The iPhone 16e features Apple’s custom C1 modem and runs on iOS 18. It supports Face ID and includes a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. Powered by the A18 chip, it supports Apple Intelligence features. On the back, it sports a 48-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), while the front houses a 12-megapixel TrueDepth camera for selfies and video calls. The phone has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and includes a USB Type-C port for charging. It supports 18W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging.
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