If you have been keeping an eye on the smartphone market lately, you know that finding a truly powerful device under 600 dollars is getting harder by the year. However, it looks like Apple is about to make a very interesting move with the iPhone 17e. According to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this upcoming device is due imminently and aims to bridge the gap between the budget tier and the flagship experience.
The most exciting part of this leak isn’t just what is inside the phone, but what it will cost you. Despite the general trend of rising tech prices in 2026, the iPhone 17e is expected to launch at the same 599 dollar price tag as its predecessor. For a lot of people, this makes it the most important phone in Apple’s current lineup, especially as more users look for ways to access Apple Intelligence without spending over a thousand dollars on a Pro model.
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Serious power under the hood
When the previous model launched, it was a bit of a mixed bag. It was a capable phone, but it felt like it was purposefully held back to make the regular iPhone 17 look better. With the iPhone 17e, Apple seems to be loosening the reins. The new model is tipped to feature the A19 chip, which is the exact same silicon found in the base iPhone 17.
This is a huge deal for longevity. Usually, the budget models get a hand me down processor from the year before. By putting the A19 in the iPhone 17e, Apple is ensuring that this phone can handle the latest AI features and software updates for years to come. Whether you are editing photos with the new Siri or just want a phone that doesn’t lag when you open too many tabs, having flagship power in a 599 dollar device is a massive win for the consumer.
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Fixing the charging situation
If there was one major complaint about the last budget iPhone, it was the lack of MagSafe. It felt like a bizarre omission in a world where almost every accessory is designed for that magnetic ring. Well, the rumors suggest that Apple has listened. The iPhone 17e is reportedly bringing MagSafe back to the budget lineup, supporting wireless charging speeds of up to 25W.
This change is about more than just convenience. It opens up the iPhone 17e to a massive ecosystem of wallets, battery packs, and car mounts that were previously off limits to budget buyers. It also brings the wireless charging experience in line with the rest of the iPhone 17 family. You won’t have to fiddle with slow 7.5W Qi chargers anymore; you just snap it on and go.
Better connectivity and efficiency
Another area where the iPhone 17e is getting a boost is in its internal networking. Reports indicate that Apple will include its new in house cellular and wireless chips, specifically the C1X modem. This is the same modem that debuted with the ultra thin iPhone Air last year, and it is a beast.
The C1X is advertised as being up to twice as fast as the previous generation while being significantly more power efficient. For you, that means faster downloads on 5G and potentially better battery life because the phone doesn’t have to work as hard to stay connected to the tower. It is one of those invisible upgrades that makes a huge difference in how the iPhone 17e feels to use every day.
The design: Notch or Dynamic Island?
This is where the rumor mill gets a little conflicted. Some early leaks suggested that the iPhone 17e would finally kill off the notch in favor of the pill shaped Dynamic Island. This would make the phone look identical to the more expensive models from the front. However, more recent reports from supply chain analysts suggest that Apple might stick with the classic notch for one more year to keep production costs down.
Even if the notch stays, the display itself is still expected to be a high quality 6.1 inch OLED panel. You probably won’t get the 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, as that remains a Pro feature, but for most people, the vibrant colors and deep blacks of an OLED screen are the priority. The iPhone 17e is clearly being positioned as a workhorse, a phone that gives you the essentials without the flashy extras that drive prices up.
