Apple’s iPhone 16e remains to be contemporary, however it nonetheless made an excellent impression and earned its place amongst a few of the greatest smartphones for budget-oriented customers. This led many Apple followers to wonder if the 16e was a one-off or not. In accordance with a dependable leaker, evidently Apple is ready on making the iPhone 17e, and it’s already engaged on the brand new telephone.
Anybody who wonders about the way forward for the iPhone 16e is most definitely not alone. In spite of everything, the 16e changed the iPhone SE, and that left it in a peculiar place in Apple’s smartphone vary. Because it was made clear that the 16e belongs to Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup, many anticipated it to obtain a yearly launch schedule, very similar to what the higher-end fashions comply with. Alternatively, the SE had its personal replace schedule and wasn’t refreshed similtaneously the opposite iPhones. It’s laborious to not marvel the place that leaves the iPhone 16e, which each belongs to a era and is a alternative for the SE.
Though it’s laborious to foretell what the ultimate reply to these questions might be, Apple does appear to have an iPhone 17e within the works. As is usually the case, we’re coping with leaks right here, so take the next with a pinch of salt.
The leak comes from Fastened Focus Digital on Weibo, and it was shared by 9to5Mac. The leaker initially shared again in February that the brand new “e mannequin” is more likely to change into obtainable when the iPhone 17 launches. This was primarily based on a brand new undertaking code that they noticed, though they haven’t revealed the code.
Now, the tipster circled again with extra tantalizing data, saying: “The setup of the 17e manufacturing line is being deliberate. […] There might be a 17e subsequent 12 months, and now it’s virtually within the trial manufacturing stage.” This refers to a small-scale manufacturing course of that provides Apple and its companions the prospect to identify potential points and discover enhancements earlier than coming into large-scale manufacturing.
A launch subsequent 12 months would line up; the 17e would then comply with a yearly launch schedule, very similar to the remainder of the iPhone lineup — it’d simply launch just a few months later. Nevertheless, it’s not possible to foretell whether or not Apple will decide to launching a brand new budget-friendly telephone yearly. Lots will rely upon gross sales numbers, so even when the iPhone 17e makes an look, future releases — such because the 18e — won’t be set in stone.