Apple recently launched the iPhone 16e in India, featuring its first cellular modem and A18 chip. Meanwhile, rumors about the iPhone 17e have emerged, suggesting its release could occur in February 2026, following the September debut of the iPhone 17 series. Analysts from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners note that Apple aims to replicate Google’s product launch strategy with the “e” series, enhancing its lineup’s appeal. The iPhone 16e, priced from Rs. 59,900, includes a 6.1-inch OLED screen, 48-megapixel rear camera, and runs on iOS 18, aiming to succeed the iPhone 5C in popularity.
This month, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e, the latest addition to its iPhone 16 lineup. The first iPhone featuring Apple’s own cellular modem and A18 chip went on the market in India today, but rumors about the upcoming iPhone 17e are already emerging. A recent leak suggests a potential timeline for the successor to the iPhone 16e. The iPhone 17e is anticipated to be officially announced a few months after the release of the iPhone 17 series.
The iPhone 17e May Launch in February 2026
As reported by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) analysts, Apple’s “e” series phones may continue to be included in the company’s offerings moving forward. The iPhone 17e is expected to be launched “around this time next year,” which translates to February 2026. The core iPhone 17 models are projected to launch in September of this year, expected to comprise the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Slim, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
By introducing an affordable iPhone 17e in February following the major launch event in September, Apple seems to be adopting a strategy similar to that of Google’s Pixel series, which sees the release of high-end Pixel phones at their annual spring event, followed by the budget-friendly Pixel A series around the Google I/O event in May.
Apple has not adhered to a consistent schedule for iPhone SE launches. The original iPhone SE debuted in March 2016, the second generation arrived in April 2020, and the third-generation model was released in March 2022.
The CIRP report also indicates that Apple aims to capture the success of the iPhone 5C from 2013 with the new iPhone 16e. Analysts project that the iPhone 16e will outperform its predecessors due to its features and market positioning, potentially affecting the sales of other iPhone models.
iPhone 16e Pricing and Specifications
The iPhone 16e starts at Rs. 59,900 for the base model with 128GB of storage. The price for the 256GB and 512GB versions is Rs. 69,900 and Rs. 89,900, respectively. It is now available for purchase in India.
Equipped with Apple’s custom C1 modem, the iPhone 16e operates on iOS 18. It features Face ID and a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. Powered by the A18 chip, it also includes Apple Intelligence capabilities. On the back, the new iPhone boasts a 48-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 12-megapixel TrueDepth camera on the front for selfies and video calls. Additionally, it has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and comes with a USB Type-C port for charging. The device supports 18W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging.
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