Earlier this 12 months, Apple launched the iPhone 16e. Whereas in some ways it was an iPhone SE successor, the naming scheme modifications issues up a bit in comparison with the iPhone SE. Now that it’s a part of the mainline iPhone lineup, many have questioned – will this be an annual refresh? In the present day, we’ll be recapping the rumors.
iPhone 17e: Annual refresh?
Based on leaker Prompt Digital on Weibo, Apple is already making ready trial manufacturing of an iPhone 17e, suggesting that it’s nearly undoubtedly on the best way:
The setup of the 17e manufacturing line is being deliberate. This solutions the query: There will likely be a 17e subsequent 12 months, and now it’s nearly within the trial manufacturing stage.
It’s unclear what would change in an iPhone 17e. Dynamic Island will surely be a welcome improve. It’ll additionally seemingly undertake the A19 chipset discovered within the upcoming iPhone 17 fashions. It may additionally debut the C2 modem, although that’s only a private guess.
A technique or one other, it appears fairly believable that the brand new ‘e’ iPhone will likely be an annual refresh, in contrast to the iPhone SE that got here earlier than it.
Respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo additionally anticipates an iPhone 17e launching within the first half of 2026.
Past iPhone 17e
Earlier this month, The Info reported that Apple will likely be transitioning to a cut up iPhone launch technique, with iPhone 18 Air, Professional, Professional Max, and the foldable launching in fall 2026, and iPhone 18 and 18e launching in spring 2027.
Whereas this element in itself doesn’t affirm an annual refresh for the ‘e’ iPhone, it does a minimum of point out that new entry-level iPhones will launch extra often than iPhone SE fashions, which launched in 2016, 2020, and 2022, leaving a median refresh cycle of three years.
Wrap up
General, it’s too early to say for positive. Nonetheless, I’d lean in the direction of the reply being sure: Apple will most likely launch an iPhone 17e in early 2026.
I do personally hope that Apple diversifies their choices slightly bit. With the entry-level iPhone being $599 now, I believe it may doubtlessly be actually cool if we noticed an iPhone mini renaissance. It may doubtlessly begin at $499, making it a way more interesting buy than the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini at $699. That’s extra of a pipe dream, although.
What do you concentrate on iPhone 16e and the potential of there being extra common ‘e’ iPhone launches? Tell us within the feedback.
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