iPhone 17e to Enter Trial Production Soon, Could Debut in May 2026, Tipster Claims

A yearly release schedule for Apple’s affordable e-series iPhones appears to be on the cards.

Advertisement
Written by Sheldon Pinto, Edited by David Delima | Updated: 23 April 2025 14:46 IST
Highlights
  • Apple’s iPhone 16e was launched with Apple's A18 chip
  • It’s the only iPhone to pack Apple’s C1 modem
  • It is said that Apple will release new e-series iPhones every year

Apple iPhone 16e is priced at Rs 59,900 in India

Apple is already working on a new iPhone 17e model that is expected to succeed the recently launched iPhone 16e, according to a tipster. After the discontinuation of the iPhone SE (2022), the iPhone 16e is now the entry-level smartphone in the brand's lineup. The iPhone 16e may have not fully impressed us in our review, but recent reports suggest it has outsold the iPhone SE (2022) model after it was launched. Meanwhile, details about the purported iPhone 17e continue to surface online, and the latest leak indicates that Apple will introduce the successor to the iPhone 16e as early as next year.

According to a post on Weibo by tipster Fixed Focus Digital (translated from Chinese), Apple will have a yearly release schedule for its new ‘e' series model. The post claims that trial production for the iPhone 17e is currently on Apple's agenda.

Advertisement

The tipster has also claimed that the remodelling of the iPhone 16e production lines is already underway. Meanwhile, the post reveals that the iPhone 17e will arrive next year, as Apple's second entry-level model without SE branding.

Apple's iPhone 16e is currently priced at Rs. 59,900 in India and the phone is available in two colour options. Apple took a different path with its newly branded smartphone, adding a number to its name and discontinuing the SE lineup with the iPhone SE (2022, which also led to speculation about a yearly release cycle and the iPhone 17e.

The iPhone 16e is the first iPhone to be equipped with Apple's new C1 modem. Unlike older SE models, the iPhone 16e uses an A18 SoC, which is also present in the latest iPhone 16 models. In our review, we pointed out that the phone is more future-proof compared to competing older iPhone models that can still be purchased in India, like the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, both of which retail from Rs. 69,900 and 79,900 respectively, and offer more features like Dynamic Island, MagSafe support and faster charging, but lack support for Apple Intelligence features.

 

Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
 
REVIEW
  • Design
  • Display
  • Software
  • Performance
  • Battery Life
  • Camera
  • Value for Money
  • Good
  • Light and compact design
  • Powerful Apple A18 SoC
  • Customisable Action Button
  • Good battery life
  • Bad
  • Low light camera performance is below average
  • Available in just two basic finishes
  • Large display notch with thick borders
  • 60Hz refresh rate display
  • Slow wireless and wired charging
 
KEY SPECS
Display 6.10-inch
Processor Apple A18
Front Camera 12-megapixel
Rear Camera 48-megapixel
RAM 8GB
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
OS iOS 18
Resolution 1170x2532 pixels
NEWS
REVIEW
  • Design
  • Display
  • Software
  • Performance
  • Battery Life
  • Camera
  • Value for Money
  • Good
  • Powerful SoC
  • IP67 rating, wireless charging
  • Slim and light
  • Regular software updates
  • Bad
  • Small, low-res display
  • Gets warm when stressed
  • Average low-light camera performance
  • Expensive
 
KEY SPECS
Display 4.70-inch
Processor Apple A15 Bionic
Front Camera 7-megapixel
Rear Camera 12-megapixel
Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
OS iOS 15
Resolution 750x1334 pixels
NEWS
REVIEW
  • Design
  • Display
  • Software
  • Performance
  • Battery Life
  • Camera
  • Value for Money
  • Good
  • Big upgrades over the 14
  • Excellent ergonomics, build quality
  • Very good all-round performance
  • Apple ecosystem benefits
  • Bad
  • Relatively slow charging
  • Expensive
  • Still a 60Hz display
 
KEY SPECS
Display 6.10-inch
Processor Apple A16 Bionic
Front Camera 12-megapixel
Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel
RAM 6GB
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
OS iOS 17
Resolution 1179x2556 pixels
NEWS

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Infinix Note Edge JBL Edition First Impressions
  2. Infinix GT 50 Pro Gaming Bundle Revealed Ahead of October 27 India Launch
  3. GTA 6 Is Estimated to Have Generated $630 Million From Pre-Orders Already
  4. Realme C01 Price, Specifications Revealed via Retailer Listing
  5. SBI Customer Data Leak: 3,897 Records Flagged in Dark Web Review
  6. Poco X8s With a 6,330mAh Battery Debuts at This Price
  7. Oppo Find X10 Pro Max Will Launch in India With This Flagship MediaTek SoC
  8. Redmi K100 Confirmed to Get a 50-Megapixel Rear Camera
  9. Moto G47 Power 5G Could Launch With Dimensity 6300 Chipset, Leak Suggests
  1. GTA 6 Is Estimated to Have Generated $630 Million From Pre-Orders Already
  2. Infinix GT 50 Pro Gaming Bundle Revealed Ahead of October 27 India Launch
  3. Malaysia Rolls Out Tokenised Bond Platform for Around-the-Clock Settlement
  4. SBI Reports Suspected Data Exposure Affecting 3,897 Customer Records
  5. eMudhra Takes Remedial Action After Security Researcher Flags Weak Intermediate CA Keys
  6. Upbit Operator Dunamu Partners With MoonPay to Advance Stablecoin Payment Solutions
  7. Perplexity Computer for Mac Adds Local AI Mode for Pro, Max Subscribers
  8. Oppo Reno 17 Pro Camera, Display and Battery Specifications Surface Online Ahead of Expected Launch
  9. Motorola Razr Flex 27 Chipset and Other Specifications Revealed via Geekbench Listing Ahead of Launch
  10. Qubic Brings Blockchain Back Online After $1.4 Million Attack, Sets Recovery Claim Window
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.