iPhone 17e Potentially Launched February 2026
Jakarta - Apple is said to have the opportunity to launch the iPhone 17e in February 2026, following the release pattern of its predecessor, the iPhone 16e. This information comes from the latest leak on the Chinese social media Weibo which mentions that the device will soon enter the mass production stage.
The leaker with the account name Smart Pikachu claims that production of the iPhone 17e will begin shortly after CES 2026 ends, which falls on January 9. If this claim is true, then the schedule is almost identical to the iPhone 16e, which began production around January 8, 2025 before being officially announced on February 19 and shipped to the market at the end of the same month.
Although it did not mention a specific date, the leak reinforced speculation that Apple would maintain an early-year launch window for its "e" line, which is positioned as an iPhone at a more affordable price than the main model.
Smart Pikachu also repeats previous rumors regarding the specifications of the iPhone 17e. This device is said to carry a 6.1-inch screen with Dynamic Island, replacing the old notch design that is still used on the 16e. In addition, Apple is rumored to supply it with an A19 chip, although it is likely in a non-flagship version.
A number of previous reports have said that the iPhone 17e screen will not support ProMotion, unlike other models in the iPhone 17 family. However, the bezel is said to be made thinner, bringing the display closer to the high-end iPhone without having to enter the premium segment.
It's worth noting that Smart Pikachu's track record of leaking Apple products is still limited. Although some of his reports related to Android are considered accurate, claims about Apple have not been consistently proven. One of his latest rumors even says that the iPhone 18 Pro will adopt Face ID under the screen, something that can only be verified at the earliest by the end of 2026.
Even so, the production pattern and specifications that have been circulating so far are relatively in line with other leaks. If Apple returns to playing the "visual upgrade, enough specifications" strategy, the iPhone 17e has the potential to be a rational option for users who want a modern design without a flagship price. In market terms: not the fastest, but quite sane to buy.