According to industry chatter shared with accessory makers (via Macworld), the iPhone 17e could launch as early as February 19, landing almost exactly one year after the iPhone 16e debuted.
What makes this rumor especially interesting is the timing. February 19 falls on a Thursday, which is a bit odd for Apple. The company usually prefers Mondays or Tuesdays for announcements, and Thursdays are rare.
Still, Apple doesn’t always play by its own rules with these mid-cycle releases. The iPhone 16e, for example, arrived quietly through a press release rather than a full event, and the 17e could follow the same pattern.
A spring iPhone schedule is starting to feel intentional
The bigger takeaway here is that Apple may be building a new rhythm:
- Spring: iPhone “e” models
- Fall: flagship iPhone Pro launches
If this holds, Apple could be moving toward a twice-yearly iPhone release cadence, giving the entry-level lineup its own spotlight instead of being buried under the September hype.
The biggest upgrade: MagSafe is expected to return
One of the main complaints about the iPhone 16e was simple: no MagSafe. Instead, Apple stuck with basic 7.5W Qi charging, which felt like an unnecessary downgrade in 2025. Now, sources suggest the iPhone 17e will fix that with 25W MagSafe wireless charging.
That alone would make the 17e feel much closer to the rest of the lineup, especially for people already invested in MagSafe accessories.
Still a simple “e” iPhone, at least on the outside
Don’t expect the iPhone 17e to suddenly become a mini-Pro. The early details suggest Apple will stick with the “e” formula:
- Single rear camera
- Dynamic Island and a 60Hz display
In other words, this is still the budget-friendly iPhone, just with fewer annoying omissions.
Related: iPhone 17e: Expected Features, A19 Chip Upgrade, MagSafe, and Release Timeline
C1 modem and maybe even Precision Finding
The iPhone 17e is also expected to include Apple’s next-generation C1 modem, continuing the company’s push toward more in-house wireless tech.
There’s also speculation that Apple could bring back the Ultra Wideband chip, which the iPhone 16e lacked.
That would enable features like:
- Precision Finding for AirTags
- Better spatial awareness in Apple’s ecosystem
With a new AirTag already announced recently, adding UWB support to the 17e would make a lot of sense.
Looking ahead: Apple’s entry iPhones may shift even more
If Apple really commits to this spring release cycle, rumors suggest the company could eventually move the base iPhone models too. Some reports claim Apple may shift the entry-level iPhone 18 to join the “e” lineup in 2027, further separating the affordable models from the flagship fall launches.
The iPhone 17e isn’t shaping up to be a radical redesign, but it might be exactly what the “e” line needs: a cleaner release schedule, MagSafe support, and fewer missing features.
And if February 19 is real, we won’t have to wait long.
