Apple iPhone 16e
Apple remains one of India’s most beloved brands, and Apple’s iPhones enjoy a loyal following, and even the smallest leak can stir major anticipation. Recent reports about Apple’s next affordable model, the iPhone 17e, have intensified that buzz. The device is now rumoured to bring one of the biggest design shifts in the ‘e’ lineup’s history, moving away from the older wide-notch look of the 16e and adopting the more modern Dynamic Island seen on higher-end models. This change, along with its expected 6.1-inch display, single rear camera, and simplified chip, could make the 17e feel fresh without raising costs. The device is expected to be released in a budget segment, and the launch is expected to happen in 2026.
Leaks indicate that Apple plans to make the iPhone 17e look very similar to the standard iPhone 17. This is a big shift because the ‘e’ lineup usually keeps older designs to remain affordable.
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The biggest highlight is the addition of the Dynamic Island. This change would finally mark the end of the large notch that the iPhone 16e still uses. The notch on the 16e looks similar to older models like the iPhone 14. If the leak is correct, the iPhone 17e will look more modern and in line with Apple’s newest phones.
Most leaks point to a launch in the first half of 2026, possibly around May. This matches Apple’s recent pattern of releasing the ‘e’ model earlier than the main lineup.
The rest of the iPhone 18 series, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Air 2, is expected to arrive in September 2026.
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Leaks from China suggest a starting price of around CNY 4,499, which is roughly Rs 57,000. However, Digit estimates a price closer to Rs 60,000, placing the model in the same range as the current iPhone 16e.
The iPhone 17e is said to target users upgrading from older models like the iPhone 11. For these customers, the new design and Dynamic Island could feel like a major step forward.
The iPhone 17e is expected to keep a 6.1-inch display with a 60Hz refresh rate, just like the current iPhone 16e. This continues Apple’s trend of using simple screens in its entry-level phones.
Most reports say that the phone will come with a single rear camera. Earlier rumours mentioned the possibility of a 48MP camera, but recent information leans toward a standard single camera similar to previous ‘e’ models.
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While Apple usually gives its ‘e’ phones a slightly scaled-down version of the latest chip, the iPhone 17e is expected to come with an A19 series chip but with fewer GPU cores compared to the regular iPhone 17. This will help Apple keep the price lower while still offering good performance for everyday use.