Earlier this year, Apple launched the iPhone 16e. While in many ways it was an iPhone SE successor, the naming scheme changes things up a bit compared to the iPhone SE. Now that it’s part of the mainline iPhone lineup, many have wondered – will this be an annual refresh? Today, we’ll be recapping the rumors.
iPhone 17e: Annual refresh?
According to leaker Instant Digital on Weibo, Apple is already preparing trial production of an iPhone 17e, suggesting that it’s almost definitely on the way:
The setup of the 17e production line is being planned. This answers the question: There will be a 17e next year, and now it is almost in the trial production stage.
It’s unclear what would change in an iPhone 17e. Dynamic Island would certainly be a welcome upgrade. It’ll also likely adopt the A19 chipset found in the upcoming iPhone 17 models. It might also debut the C2 modem, though that’s just a personal guess.
One way or another, it seems quite plausible that the new ‘e’ iPhone will be an annual refresh, unlike the iPhone SE that came before it.
Reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also anticipates an iPhone 17e launching in the first half of 2026.
Beyond iPhone 17e
Earlier this month, The Information reported that Apple will be transitioning to a split iPhone launch strategy, with iPhone 18 Air, Pro, Pro Max, and the foldable launching in fall 2026, and iPhone 18 and 18e launching in spring 2027.
While this detail in itself doesn’t confirm an annual refresh for the ‘e’ iPhone, it does at least indicate that new entry-level iPhones will launch more regularly than iPhone SE models, which launched in 2016, 2020, and 2022, leaving an average refresh cycle of 3 years.
Wrap up
Overall, it’s too early to say for sure. However, I’d lean towards the answer being yes: Apple will probably launch an iPhone 17e in early 2026.
I do personally hope that Apple diversifies their offerings a little bit. With the entry-level iPhone being $599 now, I think it could potentially be really cool if we saw an iPhone mini renaissance. It could potentially start at $499, making it a much more appealing purchase than the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini at $699. That’s more of a pipe dream, though.
What do you think about iPhone 16e and the possibility of there being more regular ‘e’ iPhone launches? Let us know in the comments.
My favorite Apple accessory recommendations:
- Anker MagSafe 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2
- MOFT Magnetic Wallet Stand, fits up to 3 cards
- Logitech Brio 100 1080p Webcam for Mac
- AirTag 4-pack (on sale for 20% off!)
- SanDisk Extreme 2TB USB-C SSD, up to 1050MB/s
- Aulumu Vegan Leather Case for iPhone 16 Pro
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