iPhone 17e Reportedly Entering Trial Production, Tipped for May 2026 Launch

Apple is reportedly moving forward with the development of the iPhone 17e, which is expected to follow last year’s debut of the iPhone 16e. After discontinuing the iPhone SE (2022), the tech giant introduced the 16e as its new entry-level option. While the iPhone 16e received mixed reviews, recent sales data indicates it has outperformed its SE-branded predecessor. Now, leaks suggest that the next installment, the iPhone 17e, could arrive as early as next year.

According to a post shared on Chinese social media platform Weibo by tipster Fixed Focus Digital, Apple is planning to stick to a yearly release cycle for its ‘e’ series. The leak claims that trial production for the iPhone 17e is already on Apple’s internal schedule, signaling a steady push to establish this new line as a consistent part of the iPhone lineup.

The same source suggests that production lines for the iPhone 16e are being retooled to prepare for the upcoming model. With the SE branding now phased out, the iPhone 17e will likely be Apple’s second officially recognized budget iPhone in the numbered series. The iPhone 16e currently retails at ₹59,900 in India and is available in two color options, offering a more affordable entry point into the Apple ecosystem, albeit with fewer features than flagship models.

Despite its limitations, the iPhone 16e introduced Apple’s C1 modem and runs on the A18 chip—the same processor found in the latest iPhone 16 series. Although models like the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus offer premium features such as Dynamic Island, MagSafe, and faster charging, they lack compatibility with Apple’s upcoming Intelligence features. That makes the 16e—and by extension, the 17e—a more future-proof option for those seeking long-term software support at a lower price point.