Earlier this year, Apple launched its first mid-range phone in three years, the iPhone 16e. Like the now-defunct iPhone SE series did in its day, the phone serves as a more affordable alternative to the brand\u2019s out-and-out flagships and has proven pretty popular following its release. Well, it looks like we can get used to new mid-range Apple handsets, as a pretty reliable source has suggested that the iPhone 17e is on the horizon.<\/p>\n
The source in question is Bloomberg\u2019s Mark Gurman, the internet\u2019s go-to guy on all things Apple. According to Gurman, the iPhone 17e is one of 15 new products the tech giant is planning on introducing us to in 2026, as well as an M4-powered iPad Air and a new \u201centry-level\u201d iPad with an A18 chip. That\u2019s just in the early part of next year; we\u2019re sure Apple has plenty more up its sleeve than that, even if some other recent industry whispers seem to point to a delay to 2027 for the much-anticipated iPad Fold.<\/p>\n
While we\u2019ve not heard much in the way of specs just yet, we\u2019d expect the iPhone 17e to launch with the same A19 chip as the base model iPhone 17, which should make it pretty capable when it comes to running the best iPhone games. There\u2019s also no word on when the mid-range iPhone might launch, but again, given that the 16e arrived at the end of February this year, which is usually a pretty fallow time for Apple fans, an early spring launch for the 17e seems likely.<\/p>\n