With the success Apple had with the iPhone 16e, there’s no denying that the company is already planning its next move with the iPhone 17e. We hear rumors from China saying that the next “e” branded phone is close to its test production phase, which means Apple is right on schedule to release the iPhone 17e next year.
A leak on Weibo reports that Apple is close to the trial manufacturing step for iPhone 17e. There has been limited news about this midrange device on the internet, and the only leak we previously saw about this device came from the same source. It seems the Weibo user is keeping tabs on the iPhone 16e’s successor.
Fixed Focus Digital claims in the leak that the iPhone 17e has already been put on the agenda by Apple (roughly translated from the original text). The source goes on to say that this device is now close to the trial production phase, which is a low-volume test run for the phone’s manufacturing process to make sure that everything runs smoothly during the actual operation.
It is too early to predict the phone’s specifications or any kind of information regarding its internals, but this could be the start of a leak spree. Of course, we don’t want to color your opinion, so it’s advised to keep a close eye on the Apple latest iPhone model as the internet reveals more details about it.
Usually, Apple only starts the production tests six to nine months before the actual launch of the device. If the iPhone 17e has reached this step, it could mean that Apple will unveil this newcomer by January next year. The leaker’s claim contradicts some earlier reports saying the iPhone 17e might launch in May 2026.
A January release also seems more plausible if you look at iPhone 16e's launch timeframe. Apple released this new budget phone in February this year, so chances are that the iPhone 17e will also be launched around the same time, if not on the exact day.
Nothing else is known so far about the iPhone 17e, except that it may look the same as the current iPhone 16e. Unlike the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, the budget iPhone will be modest with conservative specs and design. We’ll keep an eye out for any and all developments regarding the iPhone 17e, so stay tuned for more updates.
