Apple is preparing to make headlines again with the imminent launch of the iPhone 17e, a device poised to shake up the budget smartphone market in early 2026. According to a flurry of reports from Bloomberg, MacRumors, Mashable, and other tech outlets, the iPhone 17e will serve as a direct successor to last year’s iPhone 16e, but this time, Apple’s affordable offering is getting a trio of significant upgrades—without a bump in price.
Set to debut as soon as February 19, 2026, the iPhone 17e is expected to headline Apple’s spring hardware lineup, which also includes refreshed iPads and new MacBooks. The device will feature the flagship A19 chip, bringing the kind of processing power previously reserved for higher-end models into the entry-level segment. As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this marks a notable leap for the “e” series, which has traditionally lagged behind its pricier siblings in terms of performance.
In addition to the A19 chip, the iPhone 17e will finally add MagSafe magnetic wireless charging—a feature that was conspicuously absent from the 16e. This improvement addresses a major complaint among budget iPhone users, who had watched as MagSafe became standard across Apple’s premium devices. Now, with the 17e, users can expect the convenience of snap-on accessories and faster wireless charging speeds.
But the upgrades don’t stop there. The iPhone 17e will also be equipped with Apple’s latest in-house connectivity hardware: the C1X modem for cellular connectivity and the N1 chip for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Thread support. This shift to proprietary chips is part of Apple’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on third-party suppliers and optimize performance across its devices. As MacRumors notes, these chips are expected to deliver faster, more reliable wireless performance—something that could be especially appealing to users in emerging markets and enterprise environments, where Apple plans to market the 17e aggressively.
Despite these enhancements, the iPhone 17e’s price will remain unchanged at $599 in the U.S., the same as last year’s 16e. For many, this is a welcome surprise, especially given the rising costs of memory and components across the tech industry. As Gurman put it, “You’ll get more features for the same cost.” However, those hoping for a price drop may be out of luck, as Apple seems committed to maintaining its current pricing structure across the iPhone lineup.
To put this into perspective, Apple’s 2026 iPhone lineup is shaping up as follows: the iPhone 16e at $599, iPhone 16 starting at $699, iPhone 17 at $799, iPhone Air at $999, and the iPhone 17 Pro starting at $1,099. With the 17e offering flagship-level processing and MagSafe at the same price as the outgoing 16e, it could present a compelling alternative for budget-conscious buyers—especially if Apple decides to increase the base storage from 128GB to 256GB, as it did for the rest of the iPhone 17 family. However, there’s still no confirmation on whether this storage bump will make its way to the 17e.
One rumored feature that remains in question is Dynamic Island, the interactive display cutout found on Apple’s higher-end phones. While earlier leaks suggested its inclusion on the 17e, Gurman’s recent reports make no mention of it, leaving fans to speculate whether the budget model will stick with the traditional notch design or finally adopt the newer interface. For now, it appears that users hoping for Dynamic Island on the 17e may have to wait another year.
Apple’s spring hardware blitz doesn’t stop with the iPhone. The company is also preparing to refresh its iPad lineup, with the entry-level 12th-generation iPad set to receive the A18 processor. This upgrade will enable Apple Intelligence features—Apple’s suite of AI-powered tools—for the first time on the base model, a move aimed squarely at enterprise and education markets. Meanwhile, the iPad Air is getting a boost to the M4 chip, and the iPad mini is expected to receive an OLED display later in the year, marking a first for the compact tablet.
On the software front, iOS 26.4 is expected to enter developer beta by February 23, 2026, bringing with it a major overhaul to Siri. The new update will introduce a conversational, chatbot-style interface and deeper contextual understanding, according to Hypebeast. This aligns with Apple’s broader push to integrate AI capabilities across its ecosystem, making its devices smarter and more responsive than ever before.
The Mac lineup is also in for a refresh. New 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models powered by M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are anticipated to launch as early as the week of March 2, 2026, coinciding with the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3. A new MacBook Air featuring the standard M5 chip is in the pipeline, as is a potential low-cost MacBook aimed at the education sector. For desktop users, a new Mac Studio and an updated Studio Display are reportedly on the way, though these are not expected to debut at the spring event.
While Apple’s competitors—most notably Google with its Pixel 10a—are also preparing new budget smartphones for 2026, the Pixel 10a is said to offer few notable upgrades aside from new color options. As a result, Apple may find itself in a stronger position in the affordable segment, especially if it can deliver on its promise of flagship features at a mid-range price. Gurman even suggests that weakened competition from Google and Samsung could further benefit the iPhone 17e’s prospects in key markets.
It’s worth noting that Apple’s strategy with the 17e goes beyond just specs and pricing. The company is expected to heavily promote the device in emerging markets and among enterprise customers, leveraging its improved wireless performance and AI capabilities. With U.S. carrier deals likely to offer steep discounts, the iPhone 17e could become an even more attractive option for cost-conscious shoppers—potentially making the official $599 price tag less relevant to most buyers.
All told, Apple’s 2026 hardware rollout is shaping up to be one of its most ambitious in years. The iPhone 17e, with its upgraded chip, MagSafe charging, and advanced connectivity, stands at the center of this push, signaling Apple’s intent to blur the lines between budget and flagship devices. Whether this strategy pays off remains to be seen, but for now, the stage is set for a busy and potentially transformative year in Cupertino.
With the official unveiling just around the corner, all eyes are on Apple to see how these new devices will stack up in a fiercely competitive market. If the company delivers as promised, the iPhone 17e could well redefine what consumers expect from an affordable smartphone in 2026.