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iPhone 17e may be powered by the Apple A19 processor and an upgraded selfie camera. It is likely to integrate AI capabilities as well. Just to recap, the 'e' nomenclature has roots in Apple's Special Edition (SE) lineage, which historically delivers high-end internals in a compact, cost-effective package.

Apple is tweaking its strategy a bit to launch new iPhone models in the first half of the year, instead of sticking to its annual fall release. The company is reportedly working on a new model - dubbed as the iPhone 17e - and it is said to be released in the first half of 2026. The aim with this model is to democratise premium features, and make its ecosystem more accessible to more consumers, especially in emerging markets.

Leaks suggest that the iPhone 17e may be powered by the Apple A19 processor and an upgraded selfie camera. It is likley to integrate AI capabilities as well. Just to recap, the 'e' nomenclature has roots in Apple's Special Edition (SE) lineage, which historically delivers high-end internals in a compact, cost-effective package. Think the iPhone SE (2022) with its A15 Bionic chip at a fraction of the Pro model's price.

The iPhone 16e, launched earlier this year, marked a shift to annual updates for this segment, adopting the A18 chip from the iPhone 16 to support on-device AI features like enhanced Siri interactions.

Building on that momentum, the iPhone 17e appears poised to accelerate this trickle-down approach, with analysts projecting shipments of around 8 million units in its debut period.

iPhone 17e with A19 chip

At the heart of the rumours lies the A19 chip, reportedly featuring an upgraded neural processing unit for faster AI tasks, a five-core GPU delivering up to 20 percent better graphics performance than the A18, and expanded memory bandwidth to handle advanced on-device processing.

Paired with 8GB of RAM – a step up from predecessors – it would enable full Apple Intelligence integration, including contextual Siri responses powered by a customised Google Gemini model, live call translation, and visual intelligence tools like on-screen content analysis. The device is tipped to ship with iOS 26.4, further embedding these features into everyday use.

iPhone 17e display rumours

Display leaks paint a picture of incremental refinement rather than revolution. The panel is expected to measure 6.1 inches, utilising LTPS OLED technology akin to the iPhone 16e, but with slimmer bezels for a marginally larger viewing area. A 60Hz refresh rate is anticipated, eschewing the smoother 120Hz ProMotion found on higher-end models.

iPhone 17e camera rumours

Conflicting reports emerge on the front cut-out: some suggest retention of the familiar notch design, while others posit a shift to the interactive Dynamic Island introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro, potentially enhancing notifications and media controls without the pill-shaped intrusion.

Camera enhancements focus primarily on the front-facing sensor, upgraded to 18-megapixels with Centre Stage technology – a feature debuting on the iPhone 17 series. This square-shaped module promises a wider field of view for group selfies, automatic subject tracking, and superior stabilisation during video calls, addressing common pain points in budget videography. The rear setup, however, sticks to a single lens, possibly a 48-megapixel unit carried over from the iPhone 16e.

Additional whispers include a bespoke C1 cellular modem for improved connectivity and an N1 wireless chip supporting Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0. Pricing remains unconfirmed, but as an affordable mainstay, it could hover around the iPhone 16e's entry point.