Is Apple Planning to Launch iPhone 17e in 2026? Here’s What We Know So Far

By Shivangi Agarwal • Updated On Apr 28, 2025

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TL;DR

Apple launched the iPhone 16e in February 2025.
The question arises whether iPhone 17e will arrive in 2026?
Some reports claim it is entering trials.
Mark Gurman claims Apple hasn’t decided if it will launch iPhone 17e.

Apple skipped the iPhone SE model to launch the iPhone 16e in 2025. This e-version has added a new tier to the iPhone lineup. While this does fall in tandem with SE model, but will it be a regular offering every year? The question arises that will Apple release iPhone 17e in 2026? In this article, we will dive into what we know so far about the answer to this question.

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iPhone 17e to launch in May 2026?

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims Apple isn’t sure of launching e-iPhone every year. According to him, the brand hasn’t made a final decision about launching iPhone 17e next year and it is still months away from arriving at a conclusion. He also claims that adding “e” instead of “SE” is a marketing move by Apple to add allure and appeal to make it more attractive to users in countries like China.

While the decision hasn’t been made to launch iPhone 17e, some previous reports claimed that a Weibo post by ‘Fixed Focus Digital’ hinted towards iPhone 17e nearing trial production. The tipster even claimed debut of iPhone 17e in May 2026 with the same back design and single rear camera. In February, a report by CIRP also clamed that iPhone 17e will launch exactly a year after iPhone 16e, which means in February 2026.

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These mixed set of reports make it difficult to comprehend if iPhone 17e will arrive or not, but considering it does make its way to the market, what would it entail? Let’s find out in the next section.

iPhone 17e: Rumors

Realistically speaking, Apple won’t change much with iPhone 17e. It will be bumped up to the latest A19 chipset and get features of the iPhone 17 series. These include camera control, which 16e doesn’t have. Dynamic Island might also find its way to iPhone 17e.

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Since Apple hasn’t even decided yet if it will launch iPhone 17e, so it is too early to speculate anything about its specs. We’ll have to wait it out to know if iPhone 17e is coming or not and if it is, what are its features.

Meanwhile, iPhone 16e has been priced at Rs. 59,900 for the base model and is available online and offline.

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Shivangi Agarwal

Shivangi is a tech writer at Smartprix, where she covers consumer technology news with a focus on smartphones, wearables, laptops, and the evolving world of OTT streaming. Since joining the team in August 2021, she has written over 120 in-depth reviews, comparisons, and buying guides aimed at helping readers navigate the ever-changing tech landscape.

With a strong foundation in English literature and education, Shivangi brings clarity, insight, and a reader-first approach to every story. Her expertise lies in breaking down complex features into accessible, practical insights—whether she’s reviewing the latest smartphone or exploring trends in infotainment.

Shivangi holds a B.A. (Hons.) and M.A. in English, along with a B.Ed in English and Social Studies. She is based in Faridabad, India. You can follow her work on Smartprix or connect with her for tech-related queries.

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