Apple Set to Unveil New iPhone Soon – Here's What to Expect
Upcoming iPhone 17e: What We Know So Far
It has only been five months since the release of Apple's latest smartphone, but whispers in the tech world suggest that a brand new iPhone could be on the horizon. Industry analysts are speculating that the California-based tech giant might unveil the iPhone 17e within the next few weeks. This model is expected to be the successor to last year’s more affordable iPhone 16e.
Tech enthusiasts don’t have long to wait, with one Apple expert predicting that the iPhone 17e will be launched "imminently." However, this upgrade is not expected to be just a minor facelift for the iPhone 16e. Instead, Apple is rumored to have integrated some high-quality new hardware into the device.
The iPhone 17e is anticipated to feature the same super-fast A19 chip found in the flagship iPhone 17. Additionally, it may include long-awaited features such as MagSafe wireless charging. Most notably, Apple is predicted to maintain the pricing structure from the previous year’s iPhone 16e.
This means the iPhone 17e could cost £599 for a 128GB variant, £699 for 256GB, and £899 for the most expensive 512GB option.
According to Bloomberg's Apple analyst Mark Gurman, the iPhone 17e will offer a simple appeal—customers will receive more features than the iPhone 16e at the same price point. While budget smartphones often do not see major upgrades, this could indicate that Apple is planning more than just a few new colors for its wallet-friendly option.
Besides the rumored A19 chip, there are also suggestions that the new phone will come equipped with Apple's latest C1X cellular chip and the N1 wireless chip. One of the most exciting potential upgrades for many fans might be the inclusion of MagSafe charging.
Currently, the iPhone 16e only supports Qi wireless charging at 7.5W, but the new iPhone 17e might be compatible with Apple's latest MagSafe accessories. This could provide speeds up to 25W, significantly improving wireless charging for the budget smartphone.
Apple remains tight-lipped about the details of the potential new phone, so other specifics are hard to confirm. Industry leaks are divided over whether the iPhone 17e will have design changes or if it will look identical to its predecessor.
Rumoured Features of the iPhone 17e
- A19 chip
- MagSafe charging
- C1X cellular chip
- N1 wireless chip
Expected Price Range
- £599 for a 128GB variant
- £699 for 256GB
- £899 for the most expensive 512GB option
Rumoured Launch Date
- February 23–25
Some reports suggest that the phone might get the same Dynamic Island as the iPhone 17, while the Japanese site Mackotakara claims Apple will stick with a notch instead. Without any hints from Apple itself, tech fans will need to wait until the official release to learn more.
However, Apple isn't expected to keep its fans waiting for much longer. Mr. Gurman says that the launch will be coming "imminently" but doesn't provide any additional details.
The first time Apple launched an 'e' product was in February last year with the iPhone 16e. Since Apple typically follows the same launch pattern, this suggests that the latest update is likely coming in the next few weeks.
Earlier this month, MacWorld reported that the iPhone 17e would be released on Thursday, February 19. However, this does not seem likely as Apple has never released a new iPhone on a Thursday.
The company typically schedules its launches on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday to allow time for pre-orders to open on Friday. Likewise, Google is widely expected to launch its budget Pixel 10a on February 18, making it unlikely that Apple would reveal a rival phone the day after.
Last year, the iPhone 16e was announced via a press release on a Wednesday afternoon. This makes the most likely dates Monday 23 February to Wednesday 25 February—with Wednesday being the most probable date.
The Daily Mail has contacted Apple for comment.
