Apple is reportedly set to release a second-generation iPhone 17e next spring, according to a Korean news source, The Elec. This new model will utilize the same OLED display as the iPhone 16e, which originally debuted in the iPhone 14. The decision to use established production lines and lower-cost components aligns with Apple’s strategy to provide more accessible options for consumers.
The iPhone 16e, launched earlier this year with a starting price of $599, features a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, an A18 chip, and a USB-C port. Display panels for the new iPhone 17e are expected to come from BOE and Samsung, with LG Display potentially contributing as well. In April, a leaker suggested that the iPhone 17e was approaching the trial production stage, with a tentative release planned for May.
Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has since confirmed expectations for the launch in the first half of next year. Looking beyond the iPhone 17e, Kuo also indicated that a third-generation “e” device may be introduced alongside the standard iPhone 18 in early 2027. This unusual release timeline stems from Apple’s decision to stagger the launches of its iPhone models, with the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e set for spring, six months after the iPhone 18 Pro models.
In the meantime, the iPhone 17 series will be unveiled in September, and early rumors suggest significant design changes for the Pro models. These designs could include an aluminum frame, which marks a shift from Apple’s traditional stainless steel and titanium materials for premium models. As Apple gears up for these releases, the anticipation surrounding the new iPhone series continues to build.
Leave a Reply