Apple iPhone 17e could boast a long-requested feature

MagSafe could finally be coming to the iPhone 17e, and it might even get an upgraded selfie camera

Apple’s latest smartphone could launch later this month (David Phelan/The Independent)

Apple could be gearing up to launch its next budget iPhone. New rumours suggest the iPhone 17e may be just around the corner, with the tech giant kicking off a series of new launches for 2026, including new MacBooks and iPads.

Predicted to launch later this month, the iPhone 17e could boast a faster A19-series chip borrowed from the regular iPhone 17, as well as MagSafe wireless charging support for the first time on a budget Apple smartphone, and maybe even an upgrade to the selfie camera.

But when will you be able to get your hands on the smartphone, and will it be worth the upgrade? Below, I’ve rounded up all the iPhone 17e rumours, from release date and price to design, camera and specs.

iPhone 17e release date: When could the phone launch?

Last February was the first time Apple released an “e” series phone with the introduction of the iPhone 16e. While it’s difficult to predict the release date for the iPhone 17e, notorious Apple insider and Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman claimed on 8 February in his PowerOn newsletter that its launch was “imminent”.

While he didn’t give an exact date, MacWorld reported earlier this month that sources at iPhone case and accessory manufacturers believe the phone could be unveiled on Thursday 19 February.

I’m pretty sceptical about that date, however. Apple has never unveiled a new iPhone on a Thursday before. It usually unveils new gear on a Monday or a Tuesday, and more rarely Wednesdays, with pre-orders usually going live on the Friday. Google is also expected to launch the Pixel 10a on 18 February, and releasing a phone the day after the rival budget handset feels unlikely.

So when could it launch instead? Apple is more likely to announce the next iPhone 17e sometime between 23 February and 25 February. Last year, it announced the iPhone 16e on a Wednesday via a press release instead of a swanky keynote. If it does the same again, expect the iPhone 17e to launch, potentially, on Wednesday 25 February.

iPhone 17e price: How much could the smartphone cost?

Pricing information for any iPhone is notoriously difficult to predict, with rumours of price hikes cropping up almost every year, only for new models to launch at the same price as their predecessors – or, in some cases, even cheaper. This time around, however, there’s been little talk of an increase.

On 8 February, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claimed the iPhone 17e will cost the same as the iPhone 16e, starting at £599 for the 128GB model and rising to £699 for 256GB and £899 for the 512GB model.

That pricing would make sense. The leaker who first revealed the iPhone 16e’s name last year has since reported that the handset hasn’t been selling particularly well, giving Apple even more reason to keep prices unchanged.

iPhone 17e design and display

While rumours about the iPhone 17e are still thin on the ground, Apple’s next budget phone isn’t expected to look dramatically different from its predecessor. In fact, it may look almost identical.

According to a report from The Elec published last summer, the iPhone 17e will feature the same 6.1in OLED display as the iPhone 16e, complete with a 60Hz refresh rate – the same panel previously used on the iPhone 14.

That said, The Elec later reported in December that the iPhone 17e could sport thinner bezels, which would help give the phone a more modern appearance.

There has also been some disagreement over the front-facing design. While earlier reports suggested the iPhone 17e could gain a Dynamic Island, similar to the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Max, a more recent report from Japanese site Macotakara claimed Apple will stick with a notch instead. In early February, the publication said there would be no Dynamic Island on the 17e.

Notably, design changes weren’t mentioned in Mark Gurman’s most recent Power On newsletter either. The iPhone 17e is likely to receive only minor cosmetic upgrades, such as new colours or slimmer bezels, with most of the upgrades happening under the bonnet.

iPhone 17e specs and features

Budget phones rarely receive huge design upgrades, with manufacturers instead focusing on internal improvements, and the iPhone 17e looks set to follow that pattern.

In early February, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claimed the iPhone 17e would use the A19 chip found in the iPhone 17, alongside Apple’s C1X cellular modem and the N1 chip, which handles Bluetooth, wifi and Thread connectivity.

One of the most in-demand upgrades, however, could be MagSafe wireless charging. The current iPhone 16e only supports Qi charging at 7.5W, but the iPhone 17e is tipped to gain MagSafe for the first time. If so, it could support Apple’s latest MagSafe standard with wireless charging speeds of up to 25W, rather than the slower 15W offered by older MagSafe accessories.

iPhone 17e cameras

The iPhone 16e has one of the most lacklustre camera setups in Apple’s current lineup and, based on the latest rumours, that may not change much for the iPhone 17e.

The current model features a single 48MP rear camera and a 12MP front-facing selfie camera. In September last year, Gurman said Apple was likely to retain the same rear camera for the iPhone 17e, which would be disappointing.

The front-facing camera might get an upgrade, but it’s not a certainty. A research note from analyst Jeff Pu claimed Apple could upgrade the selfie camera to an 18MP snapper with a square sensor and Centre Stage, similar to the one on the iPhone 17. That rumour hasn’t been widely corroborated elsewhere, though, so we’ll have to wait and see.

Best iPhone 16e deals

Apple iPhone 16e: Was £599, now £499, Amazon.co.uk

(Amazon)

A big step up from the iPhone SE, the iPhone 16e features a vibrant 6.1in OLED panel, a huge leap forward that delivers the deep blacks and rich contrast you’d expect from a more premium phone. Currently £100 off, it’s real powerhouse too, running on the same zippy A18 chip found in the flagship iPhone 16.

“From more storage to a bigger display that’s OLED and high-resolution, the excellent face ID, ceramic Shield to protect the front of the phone, the latest processor, the all-new C1 modem, a bigger battery than in the iPhone 16, full access to Apple intelligence and more, you get more for your buck than ever before,” said tech critic David Phelan in his iPhone 16e review.

Buy now

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