The iPhone 17e should look like the iPhone 16e.
The iPhone 17e will hit store shelves soon, with the update to the iPhone 16e featuring the same A19 chip as the iPhone 17.
Apple is expected to release an update to the iPhone 16e in early 2026, replacing it with the new iPhone 17e model. This update could arrive very soon if one report is correct.
According to Bloomberg’s “Power On: newsletter on Sunday, Mark Gurman writes that the launch is scheduled “immediately.” Gurman did not give a specific date, but it could arrive within days or a few weeks.
The 2026 update will include a chip upgrade to the A19, the version also used in the iPhone 17. Chip changes will also cover connectivity, with Apple said to be using the latest versions of its own cellular and wireless chips.
The model will also benefit from a charging upgrade, gaining MagSafe, which is missing from the iPhone 16e.
As for pricing, Apple reportedly plans to keep the $599 original version.
Budget focused improvements
Gurman’s post is in line with previous rumors regarding the iPhone 17e. The general gist is that it will be what is usually called a spec-bump update, namely a main chip update with a few other form factor changes.
On February 6, a message from quite reliable MacOtakara stated that the current iPhone 16e design will be retained for the iPhone 17e. Overall, the new model should look like the current counterpart.
The main change to the A19 chip was discussed earlier, adding 8GB of memory, as well as the move to a proprietary C1X cellular modem and N1 wireless networking chip. The OLED display should have a diagonal of 6.1 inches, but there have been rumors that the notch could finally disappear in favor of the Dynamic Island.