Apple’s next budget iPhone could be just around the corner.
The company is preparing to launch the iPhone 17e soon, kicking off what is expected to be a busy product cycle for early 2026, according to Bloomberg.
In the latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the new model “is due imminently,” signaling that an announcement could come within weeks. The device is shaping up to be a modest but meaningful upgrade, aimed squarely at cost-conscious buyers.
iPhone 17e: What’s changing
Gurman reports that the iPhone 17e will bring several upgrades while keeping its entry-level price intact.
The biggest change is performance. The iPhone 17e is expected to run on the A19 chip, the same processor used in the standard iPhone 17. That’s a notable jump for Apple’s most affordable model and should translate to faster speeds and better efficiency.
Charging is also getting an upgrade. After skipping it on the 16e, Apple is adding MagSafe support to the 17e, bringing it in line with the rest of the modern iPhone lineup.
Connectivity is another focus. Bloomberg reports that Apple is shifting the device to its latest in-house cellular and wireless chips, continuing the company’s push to reduce reliance on third-party suppliers. Despite these changes, pricing is expected to stay the same. Bloomberg says Apple plans to keep the iPhone 17e at $599, reinforcing a simple message: more features for the same price.
A phone built for global growth
According to Bloomberg, Apple plans to market the iPhone 17e heavily in emerging economies and enterprise environments. These are two areas the company is pushing hard in 2026, both with devices and software.
Competition at the lower end may also be less intense this year. Bloomberg notes that Google’s upcoming Pixel 10a is not expected to add many major upgrades, while Samsung is increasingly focused on premium devices rather than budget phones.
That combination could give Apple some breathing room as it promotes the 17e across markets like Asia, including China and India, where iPhone sales have recently shown renewed strength.
What’s missing and what’s unclear
Notably, Bloomberg makes no mention of Dynamic Island, a feature that some earlier rumors suggested could finally arrive on Apple’s cheapest iPhone. Its absence from the report doesn’t rule it out, but it does raise questions about how far Apple is willing to push features down the lineup.
Storage options are also unclear. Bloomberg did not say whether Apple plans to increase the base storage, leaving buyers guessing if the iPhone 17e will stick with 128GB or move higher.
The iPhone 17e is just the opening act of a busy stretch for Apple.
Bloomberg reports that updated iPads, new MacBooks, and refreshed Mac desktops are all on the way in the coming weeks and months. Software updates are also lining up, with iOS 26.4 expected to bring delayed Siri improvements and expanded Apple Intelligence features.
Later this year, Apple plans to launch its first foldable iPhone and a MacBook Pro with an OLED screen and touch support, marking a dramatic reversal for a company that long dismissed touch-controlled Macs.
Also read: iPhone 18 rumored features suggest Apple may be planning bigger upgrades beyond the 17e lineup.
