In summary:
- iPhone 17e likely priced at £599-£650/$599-$650
- Expected release date February/May 2026
- Modest specs and hardware upgrades expected from the 16e
The iPhone “e” model is Apple’s take on a budget smartphone. But it’s budget on Apple’s terms. Even though it’s the most affordable model that Apple sells new, it’s not low-cost compared to Android rivals. You won’t find it in our round-up of the best budget phones, for example.
The iPhone 16e was the replacement for the SE models, the last of which launched in 2022. The iPhone SE (2022) suffered from a dated design and less than stellar LCD display, making it difficult to recommend. So it was no surprise that Apple’s successor, 2025’s iPhone 16e, was given an updated look.
The iPhone 16 also has good performance, thanks to the fact it runs on Apple’s A18 chip (albeit a four-core GPU variant), and a solid battery life. But there’s no MagSafe compatibility and, given its £180/$180 price hike from the SE, it didn’t exactly wow in the value-for-money stakes.
So, what will Apple change for the next iteration of its entry-level model, the iPhone 17e? Here’s what we know so far.
Bear in mind that, as the phone’s launch is several months away, what follows is based on industry leaks and analyst projections. We won’t know anything for sure until Apple confirms it.
Still, by the time the rest of the iPhone 17 models had launched in September 2025, a huge amount of correct information on specs, features and pricing was already out in the wild – and Tech Advisor had reported on it.
We’ll be updating this article as more information comes to light.
When will the iPhone 17e be launched?
In summary:
- Spring launch expected
- End of February the most likely date
- But nothing is confirmed at this stage
The iPhone 17e was not launched alongside the other iPhone 17 models in September 2025. Instead, it’s thought to be arriving in spring 2026.
The most likely release date would be some time around the end of February. This would be in line with the release of the 16e, which took place on 28 February 2025, after a 19 February announcement.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
However, it may arrive later on – as late as May, according to some analysts.
From the next iteration onwards, Apple is expected to launch a new, entry-level “e” model every year. It’s thought that Apple will begin a new two-tier launch strategy, with high-end models making their debut in September, and more affordable models in the spring.
In this system, the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and the anticipated iPhone foldable would appear in September 2026 and the base model iPhone 18 and the 18e in spring 2027.
So, the date the iPhone 17e arrives in 2026 could well become as solid a calendar appointment for more affordable model launches as the early September iPhone launch is for high-end phones.
Source: MacRumors | The Apple Den
How much will the iPhone 17e cost?
In summary:
- No firm information yet
- Tariffs could influence price
- £599-£650/$599-$650 price currently mooted
When the iPhone 16e debuted in February 2025, it had a launch price of £599/$599. But it’s thought that the iPhone 17e could be more expensive.
The current projection is that it will launch at £650/$650. There are a number of factors influencing price. Chief among them is a dispute over OLED panel intellectual property between Samsung and BOE, which could see prices for the panels increase.
There’s also the potential influence of US Government tariffs. These factors could see Apple raise the iPhone 17e’s price, although it’s highly unlikely to be more expensive than the iPhone 16, which is now available from the brand at £699.
Source: Phone Arena
What specs and features will the iPhone 17e have?
In summary:
- 6.1-inch OLED panel
- May feature Dynamic Island
- A19 chip
From what early rumours suggested, the upgrades from iPhone 16e to 17e will be fairly limited. It’s on Apple to make sure that the 17e offers equivalent value for money to the excellent £799/$799 iPhone 17, especially given that the iPhone 16e didn’t offer the most compelling package of features.
However, the latest rumour has it that the 17e will be getting a huge upgrade in the form of MagSafe capabilities. This would bring it in line with not only other new iPhone models, but Pixel 10 phones as well.
To be clear, Apple has not yet announced any iPhone 17e features but supply chain rumours and industry speculation have offered up some likely specs and features.
Display
The iPhone 17e is not expected to match the new 6.3-inch display of the iPhone 17. Instead, it’s likely to have the same 6.1-inch OLED display as its predecessor. It’s also expected to retain its 60Hz refresh rate.
Rumour has it that the bezel around the display will be narrower, in line with more premium models.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
However, it could feature Dynamic Island, unlike the 16e. Dynamic Island allows users to switch between apps quickly, and keep an eye on timers, calls and music when using the iPhone in other ways.
Still, some pundits believe that the Dynamic Island upgrade will be saved for the 18e.
Hardware changes are expected to be modest from the 16e.
Camera
The iPhone 17e is expected to retain the same 48Mp single-lens camera as the iPhone 16e. It’s also projected to feature a the 18Mp selfie camera that all other 17 models have.
Performance
The iPhone 17e is expected to receive a performance boost thanks to a chip upgrade to the iPhone 17’s A19 chip. However, as was the case with the A18 chip in the 16e, it may be a four-core GPU variant.
Battery life
A battery boost is rumoured, from the 16e’s 4005mAh to a slightly more substantial 4500mAh. It’s projected to support fast wired and wireless charging.
Sources: Digital Chat Station | The Mac Observer | MacRumors | GSMArena
That’s all we know about the iPhone 17e now, but to see what we thought of the rest of the iPhone 17 line-up, take a look at our reviews of the iPhone 17, the iPhone Air, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
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