Apple Is Already Planning For iPhone 17e Model For Next Year: Here’s When It Might Launch

The iPhone 16e successor launch news is already making its way to the rumour mill and we haven’t even really seen the impact of the first iPhone 16e model in the market. We are talking about the iPhone 17e which should not be coming before 2026 but it seems Apple is already starting production plans for the new entry-level model, and even giving us some idea about its possible launch timeline next year. 

Apple seems to have made its mind on the new iPhone e series lineup and going forward it is expected to be the front-bencher for the company’s ambitions to crack more markets. 

iPhone 17e Launch Plans Start, When It Might Come 

The details from a tipster named Fixed Focus Digital this week suggests Apple will soon start the iPhone 17e trial production. The company is already in the process of remodelling the iPhone 16e production line, the tipster added in a Weibo post. 

While the iPhone 16e reviews have been critical of the product and its price tag, industry reports suggest Apple is already seeing the 16’s move out of shelves faster than the last SE model. Starting the trials this early also means Apple is ready to make the iPhone e model an yearly affair. 

It is still very early to speculate on the iPhone 17e features and design but it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the iPhone 17 series launch this year will give us some hints about the 2026 variant. We’re hoping the iPhone 17e at least gets dual rear cameras, and maybe change the screen technology to make it more appealing to the buyers. The tipster also mentions that iPhone 17e launch could happen around May next year which is a few months later than the iPhone 16e launch in 2025. 

The iPhone 16e launch price in India starts at Rs 59,900 which gets you the Apple AI features, new C1 modem and iOS 18 out of the box. However, the dated design has its detractors. 

We feel the iPhone 17e launch price will be of interest to everyone, which is why the upgrades need to be significant, so that people are happy to spend their money on the base iPhone model in the market.