AI Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac
Apple will reportedly unveil the iPhone 17e on February 19, exactly one year after the iPhone 16e and less than two weeks from now. The device will likely make the announcement via press release, with no press event planned.
The refresh focus will seemingly be on incremental upgrades rather than major design changes.
The iPhone 17e is almost here
Apple announced iPhone 16e in 2025 via press release. So it’s no surprise that the iPhone 17e may take a similar approach again this year.
Despite its budget price, the iPhone 16e was among Apple’s best-selling iPhones worldwide. With its successor this year, the company is said to be building on the foundations and making minor upgrades to deliver a better experience.
Contrary to earlier rumors that the iPhone 17e will adopt Dynamic Island, Macwelt’s report says that Apple will stick with this level for another year on its budget iPhone.
A phone powered by the A19 chip should rely on the Apple C1x modem for cellular connectivity. It is also expected to use the N1 chip to handle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
MagSafe may headline the iPhone 17e update
Apart from faster internals, the phone will also reportedly get MagSafe support. This will enable faster 25W wireless charging and, most importantly, support for magnetic accessories.
With the ongoing crisis in DRAM supply and tariffs, Apple’s pricing plans remain uncertain. The company could keep the iPhone 17e at $599, matching its predecessor, or decide to raise the price.
Apple could open pre-orders for the iPhone 17e on the same day, February 19. Retail availability may then begin a week later.
However, ahead of the iPhone 17e, Apple may announce the long-delayed MacBook Pros with the M5 Pro and M5 Max.
Rajesh has been writing about consumer technology for over a decade, with a strong focus on iPhones, Macs and the Apple ecosystem. He enjoys digging into Apple software updates, hardware changes, and discovering new Mac apps that make work faster and more enjoyable.
