New Delhi: Apple has been reported to be setting up to unveil the successor to the iPhone 16e soon. The iPhone 16e was launched on February 19, 2025, and as per some reports, Apple is expected to follow up with the successor in the coming weeks. The device will reportedly bring major upgrades as compared to the iPhone 16e. The iPhone 16e launched with Apple’s A18 chipset, which is also used in the standard iPhone 16. The upcoming iPhone 17e is expected to move to the A19 chip found in the iPhone 17 lineup. The A19 is set to bring a display engine and a neural processing unit.
The iPhone 17e could feature narrower bezels compared to the iPhone 16e while maintaining the same 6.1-inch screen size. However, the display is not expected to gain higher-end features, which means technologies such as ProMotion or an always-on display are still unlikely to be included. The display on the iPhone 17e is likely to continue with a 60Hz refresh rate. Apple may bring its newer 18MP Centre Stage front camera to the iPhone 17e. This camera was introduced with the iPhone 17 series and uses a square sensor with a broader field of view, enabling better framing in group photos and videos. The Centre Stage feature leverages this wider view to automatically keep users in frame and enhance stability during video calls. For the primary camera, the iPhone 17e may stick to a single 48MP rear camera.
The iPhone 17e is expected to add support for MagSafe, while the iPhone 16e is limited to standard Qi wireless charging with speeds capped at 7.5W. With the MagSafe, wireless charging speeds would likely increase to around 15W. Since the iPhone 17e is expected to be positioned as an entry-level model in the iPhone 17 series, it is unlikely to offer the faster 25W charging supported by the newer Qi2.2 standard.
The iPhone 17e is expected to ship with the latest version of iOS 26 preinstalled, likely to iOS 26.4. This update is rumoured to include a significant overhaul of Siri, potentially driven by a customised version of Google’s Gemini AI model. The improved assistant is expected to offer more context-aware responses, handle actions across multiple applications, and better understand on-screen information. The device is expected to support Apple Intelligence features introduced with iOS 26, such as Live Call Translation, visual intelligence for on-screen content, Hold Assist for managing call wait times, and additional Image Playground styles.
