Apple looks set to shift its entry-level iPhone lineup to an annual update cycle, with production planning already underway for the iPhone 17e.
The move follows the company’s decision to retire the SE branding in favor of the iPhone 16e, signaling a more structured approach to releases.
From SE to “e”: A Shift in Strategy
Historically, the iPhone SE lineup followed no consistent schedule. The first model launched in 2016, with a four-year gap until the second-gen version in 2020, and another two-year wait for the 2022 refresh. By avoiding numbered names, Apple gave itself the flexibility to update whenever it made sense.
That changed with the iPhone 16e. The new naming convention hinted at annual updates, and back in February, the leaker known as Fixed Focus Digital suggested exactly that.
Now, Fixed Focus is doubling down, reporting that Apple has already begun setting up the production process for the next version: the iPhone 17e.
iPhone 17e Nears Trial Production
According to the leaker, Apple is currently designing the production line for the 17e, and it’s nearly ready to enter trial production. This is when a small batch of devices is built using the planned setup, allowing Apple and suppliers like Foxconn to fine-tune the process before mass production begins.
Related: Is a Sky Blue iPhone 17 Pro Coming? New Leak Reveals Details
While we’re still months away from any official announcement, the early start to production planning supports the idea that the iPhone “e” series is now on a yearly release track, bringing it in line with Apple’s mainline models. If all goes according to plan, we can expect the iPhone 17e to land in 2026.
We’ve known Apple to experiment with non-core models in the past, so whether the “e” series truly becomes an annual affair or not, remains to be seen.
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