Kuo: iPhone 17e Still on Apple's 2026 Roadmap

[MacRumors]

Apple will launch an iPhone 17e in the first half of next year, according to respected industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Corroborating a recent report that Apple will switch to a split iPhone launch strategy, Kuo on Monday offered his own interpretation of Apple's roadmap for the next two years:

• 2H25: iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Slim, iPhone 17
• 1H26: iPhone 17e
• 2H26: iPhone Foldable, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Slim
• 1H27: iPhone 18, iPhone 18e
• 2H27: iPhone Foldable 2 (already kicked off), iPhone 19 Pro Max, iPhone 19 Pro, iPhone 19 Slim (with a larger display vs. 18 Slim)

Earlier this year, Apple launched the iPhone 16e, a more affordable iPhone 16 model that starts at $599 in the United States and replaces the entry-level iPhone SE line. Over the weekend, The Information outlined a long list of iPhone models that Apple plans to release in 2025, 2026, and 2027, including an iPhone 18e in the spring of 2027, but there was no mention of an iPhone 17e coming next year.

Kuo's roadmap for upcoming iPhone releases shows Apple planning to split its launch cadence with models arriving in both the first half (1H) and second half (2H) of the year beginning in 2026. The schedule includes the iPhone 18 Pro models and a new foldable iPhone in late 2026, with standard iPhone 18 models following in early 2027.

The analyst cites two key factors driving this strategy shift. First, Apple's competitors typically release new flagship phones in the first half of the year, creating a "marketing gap" that Apple aims to close. Second, Apple's expanding iPhone lineup risks "diluting marketing efforts" if all models launch simultaneously.

Chinese smartphone manufacturers including Xiaomi, Huawei, OPPO, and Vivo have been steadily eroding Apple's market share in China with their competitive flagship devices typically launched in the first half of the year. Huawei's recent resurgence in the premium smartphone segment has posed a particular challenge to Apple's position.

Apple's shift to a split cycle roadmap would be the first time Apple has deliberately separated its flagship iPhone lineup releases since establishing its fall launch pattern with the iPhone 4S in 2011.

Article Link: Kuo: iPhone 17e Still on Apple's 2026 Roadmap

 

[Slash787]

Make a 17e Mini with magsafe and no notch

 

[iZac]

Spring has often been ‘budget’ season for Apple devices. If the normal iPhone drifts into this season, Apple are clearly telling me that I’m too poor to get a Pro phone 🥲

Also means that there won’t be a single phone under $1000 at the September event in 2026 and that’s before any inevitable price hikes.

 

[Fuzzball84]

I suspect an annual update cycle may be required due to the rapid changes in requirements for the onboard AI features. The next few years will likely see big changes in hardware requirements for Apples implementation so a yearly cycle would be required until the technology matures enough that change plateaus somewhat. If it hadn’t been for AI we’d not have seen the big SoC and memory changes we are seeing now.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Spring has often been ‘budget’ season for Apple devices. If the normal iPhone drifts into this season, Apple are clearly telling me that I’m too poor to get a Pro phone 🥲

Also means that there won’t be a single phone under $1000 at the September event in 2026 and that’s before any inevitable price hikes.

You should ignore their marketing and look at the device ignoring the e, pro and pro max labels. These are just marketing devices to make you want what you don’t need. The more you train yourself to ignore the marketing hype and focus on features you do need, the better for yourself.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Despite the branding saying iPhone 16 series is built for Apple intelligence, I suspect in a year or two the iPhone built for Apple Intelligence will lack the hardware to run a lot of it. We are on a steep hardware change gradient at the moment. If you need a phone buy one, but if you can hold off until the AI hardware matures somewhat you’d end up buying an iPhone that will last longer supporting more of Apples AI features. Or you could use off device AI via third party apps.

I’m at a point where considering new iPhone and I’m pondering to stick a little longer before upgrading

 

[fatTribble]

If the base iPhone 18 release is delayed until early 2027, is it just going to be many of the same features announced the previous Fall?

That doesn’t seem to be much of a marketing opportunity to say “Introducing our new iPhone with features that have been on other iPhones for months”.

Meh, what do I know? 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[klasma]

That doesn’t seem to be much of a marketing opportunity to say “Introducing our new iPhone with features that have been on other iPhones for months”.

It means you’ll get those features cheaper by holding off for half a year. Also, a lighter and less bump-y phone.

 

[iZac]

You should ignore their marketing and look at the device ignoring the e, pro and pro max labels. These are just marketing devices to make you want what you don’t need. The more you train yourself to ignore the marketing hype and focus on features you do need, the better for yourself.

Don't worry, I was being hyperbolic - I have a 13 mini that they'll have to to pry out of my cold, dead hands. (Yeah, I'm one of those people)

 

[fatTribble]

It means you’ll get those features cheaper by holding off for half a year. Also, a lighter and less bump-y phone.

Yeah, I get it. It just doesn’t seem as exciting, at least to me.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Don't worry, I was being hyperbolic - I have a 13 mini that they'll have to to pry out of my cold, dead hands. (Yeah, I'm one of those people)

I also have a mini 😀

 

[Apple$]

Hopefully, the 17e will get the 1st generation MagSafe. (Up to 15W vs 25W.) That would make me upgrade from my base iPhone 15.

 

[svish]

I think this will likely happen. Don't mind the yearly refresh to the phone as long as there is no price hike. Hope to see more colour choices next year.

 

[hippopotamusglorypig]

It's possible this will follow the trajectory of the iPad 10th gen and gain a price cut in the second year of a "new" and more expensive redesign.

My main concern for the hypothetical 17e is a better screen supplier. 256 Hz flickering is seriously atrocious - even by the low standard of my current Pixel phone.