With the iPhone 17e, Apple discontinued the 128GB base trim, so you now get 256GB as the starting storage tier. Apple managed to retain the same starting price as the iPhone 16e in most regions except India. The 512GB version of the 17e is actually cheaper than the iPhone 16e across every region.
Apple is about to kick off a busy 2026 with a blitz of product releases over the next several weeks, according to Bloomberg. The iPhone 17e is coming in the next few weeks at $599 with the A19 chip from the iPhone 17, MagSafe charging, and Apple's newest in-house cellular chips. Updated iPads are also imminent, including a refreshed entry-level model with the A18 chip and iPad Airs with M4 processors.
The iPhone 17e is coming soon, expected to be unveiled at some point this coming spring. A new rumor out of China today 'confirms' (as much as any rumor can) the fact that it will boast a 6.1-inch screen with a 60Hz refresh rate and the Dynamic Island feature (which also implies a hole-punch cutout replacing the iPhone 16e's notch), and a downgraded version of the Apple A19 chip that also powers the iPhone 17.
According to a new research note by analyst Jeff Pu, Apple's upcoming iPhone 17e will come with a camera upgrade. Specifically, it will get the same 18MP selfie camera as the rest of the iPhone 17 family. This was introduced with the iPhone 17 series, so it's both great and rather surprising to see Apple extending it to the cheapest model in the lineup so quickly - it's not often the company does something like this.
According to the specs floating around, the 17e brings a 6.1-inch display with Ceramic Shield and a 60Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, there's supposedly an A19 chip with 8GB of RAM and storage options hitting 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Camera setup looks like a single 48MP rear shooter and a 12MP front camera. You're getting a 4050mAh battery with 10W wireless charging, aluminum frame, glass back, and iOS 26 out of the box.