Apple is gearing up to launch the successor to last year’s affordable iPhone 16e, and leaks suggest it may feature a more modern design and two key upgrades. While Apple has yet to share any details about the iPhone 17e, a new report hints that the company may unveil the device in just two weeks.
According to Macworld, the information comes from a case and accessory maker familiar with Apple’s plans, who suggests the iPhone 17e could launch on February 19. The report notes that the timeline sounds unusual, given that Apple typically doesn’t launch new devices on Thursdays, but adds that accessory brands often rely on insider scoops to time their own releases with Apple’s schedule, so the rumored date could still hold some truth.
As for the iPhone 17e’s specifications, the report mirrors what we’ve seen in previous leaks. It suggests the device may address one of the main issues users faced with its predecessor by finally adding MagSafe charging support. The affordable model is also expected to pack Apple’s C1X modem, which debuted with the iPhone Air.
iPhone 17e might skip the Dynamic Island
However, while a leak from last month suggested that the iPhone 17e might replace the iPhone 16e’s ugly notch with a Dynamic Island, the latest report says otherwise. It notes that the upcoming phone is expected to retain the notch, with the Dynamic Island “likely to be a generation or two away.” Camera upgrades also don’t appear to be on the cards, as the device is said to stick with a single rear-facing camera.
As with all leaks, nothing is confirmed at this point. Apple could still change the launch timeline, and the reported upgrades may not end up being true. For now, prospective buyers will have to wait for an official announcement, which might not take long if the leaked launch date turns out to be accurate.
