Apple gears up to launch iPhone 17e in 2026

In February 2025, Apple officially retired the iPhone SE line and introduced the iPhone 16e, marking a shift in its product strategy. This new smartphone was released during the first quarter of the year, in line with the launch of the main iPhone 16 family, which occurred the previous September. Unlike its predecessor models, the iPhone 16e debuted at a higher price point of $599, sparking questions regarding its long-term availability in the market. Tim Cook and his team now face the decision of either extending the lifespan of the iPhone 16e or transitioning to a more regular upgrade cycle similar to other iPhone models. Reports by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggest that a new model, the iPhone 17e, is expected to arrive in early 2026, indicating a return to annual upgrades. This potentially aligns Apple's strategy with increased consumer turnover for budget iPhones, allowing the 17e to leverage the same hardware introduced in the upcoming iPhone 17 family. The forecasted iPhone 17 series will likely continue to feature advanced technologies like the Apple Silicon A19 chipset. As the company evolves, it reflects broader trends in the smartphone industry towards speedier updates and incorporation of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence.