Apple is preparing for its first major showcase of 2026, scheduled for March 4 and this time the iPhone-maker is trying something slightly different. Instead of a traditional Cupertino keynote, the tech giant has invited select media to what it calls a “Special Apple Experience” across New York, London and Shanghai. While the company has not officially confirmed product announcements, leaks and multiple reports strongly suggest the attention could fall on the much-rumoured iPhone 17e, alongside other hardware surprises.
iPhone 17e Design And Specifications (Expected)
If recent reports are accurate, the iPhone 17e may not look dramatically different from its predecessor. Apple is said to have retained the existing chassis, meaning dimensions and overall design language could remain largely unchanged from the iPhone 16e.
The handset is expected to boast a 6.1-inch display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Earlier rumours hinted at a Dynamic Island upgrade, but newer reports indicate Apple may stick with the traditional notch housing Face ID sensors and the selfie camera. Colour options tipped so far include Lavender, Black and White.
Under the hood, the iPhone 17e is expected to run on Apple’s A19 processor, the same chip powering the standard iPhone 17 lineup. Apple claims the chip delivers up to 40 percent faster CPU performance compared to the previous generation while improving AI processing efficiency through a 16-core Neural Engine.
Reports also suggest Apple could introduce its newer C1X modem, first seen with the iPhone Air in September 2025. According to Apple’s claims, the modem offers faster networking speeds and improved power efficiency compared to the earlier C1 modem.
For photography, the iPhone 17e is most likely to retain a 48-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilisation, alongside a 12-megapixel TrueDepth front camera for selfies and video calls.
Apple rarely reveals battery capacities officially, but leaks indicate the battery size may stay similar to the previous model. Efficiency improvements from the A19 chip could still result in better real-world usage. Charging speeds are expected to remain at 18W wired and 7.5W wireless, though a notable addition could be MagSafe support, potentially enabling faster wireless charging closer to 25W.
iPhone 17e Price And Launch Details
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that pricing may remain unchanged. If accurate, the iPhone 17e could start at $599 globally. In India, the base variant with 128GB storage is expected to launch around Rs 59,900, matching the current pricing of the iPhone 16e.
