If you have been thinking about getting a new affordable iPhone, you might not have to wait much longer. There is a report floating on the internet saying that Apple is setting up the stage to launch its iPhone 17e as early as this month. It is said to bring big hardware changes.
If we go by the report first published by the German outlet Macwelt (and later translated by Macworld), the iPhone 17e is slated for a February 19 launch. If this news turns out to be true, this would mark exactly one year since the launch of its predecessor, the iPhone 16e.
While a February release follows Apple’s recent patterns, the specific date of February 19 should be viewed with some skepticism. That date falls on a Thursday, a day Apple rarely chooses for hardware launches. Historically, the company favors Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays for major announcements. The report cites anonymous sources “circulating among case and accessory makers,” a group that often gets dimension schematics early but is rarely privy to precise marketing calendars.
Despite the questions surrounding the exact day, the momentum for a February launch is building. More importantly, we now have a clearer picture of what the device will actually offer.
iPhone 17e: Four Key Hardware Changes
While the iPhone 17e is expected to look familiar on the outside, a separate report from the Japanese site Macotakara claims the internals are getting a massive overhaul. Here are the four major changes expected:
1. MagSafe Wireless Charging Per the Macwelt report and corroborated by earlier rumors from The Information, the iPhone 17e will finally support MagSafe. This addresses the single biggest complaint regarding the iPhone 16e, which lacked the magnetic charging and accessory standard found on Apple’s flagship models.
2. The A19 Chip The new model will reportedly be powered by the A19 chip. This would ensure the entry-level iPhone remains capable of handling modern iOS features and likely provides a performance bump over previous budget iterations.
3. Apple’s New C1X Modem Connectivity appears to be a major focus for this release. The device is expected to feature Apple’s latest C1X modem. This proprietary tech reportedly offers speeds up to twice as fast as the original C1 modem found in the iPhone 16e, potentially offering better 5G performance and efficiency.
4. The N1 Network Chip Rounding out the connectivity upgrades is the addition of Apple’s N1 network chip. This silicon will manage Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread connectivity, likely improving smart home integration and connection stability.
What Remains the Same
While the internal specs are aggressive, Apple is reportedly keeping costs down by recycling the external design.
The reports indicate the iPhone 17e will retain the notch design rather than adopting the Dynamic Island found on the standard iPhone models.
Additionally, it will stick to a single rear camera setup. For users hoping for a modern aesthetic or advanced photography features, the 17e will likely remain a strictly utilitarian device.
