iPhone 17e tipped to launch next month, here are 5 things we know – Firstpost

It looks like Apple’s next budget-friendly iPhone 17e is just a few weeks away. The company launched its predecessor, the iPhone 16e, on February 19, 2025. The rumour has it that the upcoming iPhone 17e will follow suit.

Speculations and leaks suggest the iPhone 17e will offer a mix of familiar design, meaningful upgrades, and that unmistakable Apple polish, all while keeping the value tag within reach. Here is everything we know about the upcoming device so far.

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iPhone 17e: What do we know so far

For years, Apple’s attempts at making “budget” phones were more like side projects than core offerings. The colourful iPhone 5c and the small-but-mighty SE series each had their moments, but neither followed a consistent update rhythm. That changed with the iPhone 16e, the first sign that Apple wanted to make affordability part of its main lineup, not a nostalgic afterthought.

Apple’s A19 chip: Powering the iPhone 17e will reportedly be Apple’s A19 chip, the same silicon found in the upcoming iPhone 17 series. The jump from the A18 inside last year’s model means improvements to the display engine and neural processing, ideal for powering Apple’s growing suite of AI-driven features.

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With the A19 under the hood, users can expect smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and better battery optimisation. More importantly, it sets the stage for enhanced Apple Intelligence capabilities that depend heavily on on-device processing.

Design and display: According to a report from The Elec, via 9to5Mac, Apple plans to make the iPhone 17e slimmer and sleeker, shaving down the bezels while keeping the familiar 6.1-inch display size. Despite the visual upgrade, the panel itself is unlikely to gain fancy extras like ProMotion or an always-on mode, those perks remain exclusive to pricier models.

Early leaks suggest the screen will stick with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, keeping costs in check. Still, the thinner borders should make the phone look more modern and refined, bringing it visually closer to Apple’s higher-end designs.

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Camera: The iPhone 17e is tipped to borrow Apple’s newer 18-megapixel Centre Stage front camera, which offers a wider field of view and smarter framing during video calls. It’s the same camera tech that debuted with the main iPhone 17 line, ensuring sharper selfies and steadier video chats.

Around the back, Apple is expected to keep things simple with a single 48-megapixel rear camera, the same resolution as the 16e but likely benefiting from improved image processing thanks to the A19 chip.

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Magsafe support: Perhaps the most welcome addition is MagSafe support. The 16e was limited to standard Qi charging, capped at a modest 7.5W. With MagSafe, wireless charging speeds could double to around 15W, along with the convenience of magnetic accessories. However, faster Qi2.2 charging (up to 25W) will likely remain exclusive to flagship models.

AI features: On the software front, the iPhone 17e is expected to ship with iOS 26.4, featuring an overhauled Siri experience powered by a customised version of Google’s Gemini AI. The novel assistant will reportedly offer more context-aware responses, handle actions across multiple apps, and interpret on-screen content intelligently.

Apple Intelligence, the company’s umbrella term for its AI features, will also bring handy tools such as Live Call Translation, Hold Assist for managing long customer-service queues, and fresh creative options within Image Playground.

Price and launch (expected)

While Apple hasn’t confirmed an official release date, leaks suggest the iPhone 17e could debut in February, priced at around Rs 64,900 in India. The slight charge bump over last year’s model is reportedly due to a global shortage of AI chips.

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