I’ve been watching the “affordable iPhone” rumors swirl for months, but we just got the most credible leak yet—and it’s coming a lot sooner than most people expected. If you were planning to pick up a budget iPhone this spring, you might want to hold your breath for just a few more days.
Apple is reportedly getting ready to drop the iPhone 17e on February 19, exactly one year after the iPhone 16e made its debut.
The Launch: A Valentine’s Month Surprise?
According to the latest reports from Macwelt, Apple is sticking to its new early-year rhythm. Mark your calendars for Thursday, February 19.
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The Method: Don’t expect a flashy stage event. Like the 16e, this will likely arrive via a press release on Apple’s Newsroom.
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The Competition: Interestingly, this is just one day after Google is expected to reveal the Pixel 10a. Apple clearly wants to steal that “affordable flagship” spotlight.
Design: Keeping it Classic (For Better or Worse)
If you were hoping for the Dynamic Island to finally trickle down to the budget tier, I’ve got some “meh” news.
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The Notch Lives: Most reliable sources agree the iPhone 17e will retain the 6.1-inch OLED display with the traditional notch.
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The Look: It’s essentially the same chassis as the 16e, meaning a single rear camera and those familiar aluminum edges.
Why it matters: Apple is intentionally keeping the Dynamic Island exclusive to the standard 17 and Pro models to give you a reason to spend more. It’s a classic “upsell” move, but it keeps the entry price point accessible.
Hardware: The “Pro” DNA Inside
Under the hood is where things get interesting. Apple isn’t skimping on the brains here.
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A19 Chip: It’s expected to run the same silicon as the main iPhone 17 series. This means Apple Intelligence will run flawlessly.
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C1X Modem: This is Apple’s second-gen in-house 5G modem. It’s touted to be twice as fast and much more battery-efficient than the older C1 chip.
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Selfie Boost: We might see an upgrade to an 18MP front camera with Center Stage support—a huge jump for creators who use the front lens for everything.
The Big Win: MagSafe is Back!
This was the biggest complaint with the iPhone 16e, and I’m glad to see Apple listened.
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Wireless Speed: The 17e is tipped to finally support MagSafe charging.
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The Jump: We’re going from a measly 7.5W (Qi) to potentially 25W wireless charging. Plus, you can finally use all those magnetic wallets, stands, and battery packs.
If the rumors hold true, the iPhone 17e is shaping up to be the most “modern” budget phone Apple has ever made—mostly because it finally stops feeling like it’s a generation behind on basic features like charging.
