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iPhone 17e is almost in the trial production stage, tipster says. Here’s what we expect

The iPhone 17e launch could happen in the first half of 2026, and now, new reports suggest that Apple could be working on finalising the production plans.

Published on: Jun 02, 2025 01:09 PM IST

Apple earlier this year launched the iPhone 16e, which serves as the company's affordable iPhone. It is not a particularly budget phone, coming in at ₹59,900 in India, but it still serves as the cheapest iPhone Apple currently has in its line-up. Having said that, Apple was also rumoured to be working on the iPhone 17e. It will, of course, be the successor to the iPhone 16e. Recent reports suggest that Apple may be close to finalising the production. Here is what we know so far regarding the iPhone 17e.

iPhone 17e: Production Plans

iPhone 16e feature a 48MP single rear camera. (Aishwarya Panda-HT)
iPhone 16e feature a 48MP single rear camera. (Aishwarya Panda-HT)
By Shaurya Sharma

Shaurya Sharma is the Technology Editor at Hindustan Times Digital Streams, where he oversees technology coverage across digital and social platforms. With over eight years of experience across editorial, video production, and digital media, his work focuses on smartphones, AI, consumer gadgets, and shaping audience-first content strategies for modern tech consumers.

He began his career in 2018 as a fashion cinematographer before turning his lifelong passion for technology into a profession. From spending his childhood immersed in tech magazines, video games, and the latest gadgets to covering the global consumer tech industry today, technology has remained a constant throughout his journey.

Over the years, Shaurya has worked with some of India’s leading media organisations, including CNN-News18, Sportskeeda, and Guiding Tech, where he led video initiatives that combined strong editorial storytelling with engaging visual and social-first execution.

A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Manipal University, Shaurya has reviewed hundreds of products across categories including smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, cameras, and wearables. Beyond work, he is passionate about animal welfare, environmental causes, and automobiles, particularly turbo-petrol cars

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Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17e sometime in the first half of 2026, according to reports. This information comes via tipster Instant Digital on Weibo. The tipster says that the iPhone 17e is almost ready for the trial production stage and that the setup of the iPhone 17e production line is being planned, too.

What We Expect

Regarding changes to expect with the iPhone 17e, considering the 'e' line-up is Apple's affordable iPhone range, it makes sense for Apple to launch the iPhone 17e devoid of any flagship features which might cannibalise the mainline iPhones, such as the standard iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro. We would like Apple to include features like Dynamic Island; if Dynamic Island were present on the 'e' models, it would make for a much more premium experience considering the price at which it retails. So, Dynamic Island is a feature Apple could certainly include.

Apart from this, Apple could bring spec refreshes to the iPhone 17e, as has been the tradition. Therefore, it would not be out of the ordinary to expect the iPhone 17e to ship with an Apple A19 chipset.

It also remains to be seen if Apple will go with its own in-house modem for the iPhone 17e, because the iPhone 16e reportedly debuted the Apple C1 modem, which is its own in-house 5G modem.

Looking beyond the iPhone 17e, it remains to be seen what the launch schedule will be like. The iPhone line-up could be undergoing a major overhaul, with Apple expected to launch the iPhone 18e and iPhone 18 in Spring 2027, compared to a Fall 2026 launch for the mainline iPhone 18 devices.

 
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