iPhone 17e Nears Trial Production, Launch Tipped for Late May 2026

Apple’s next-generation iPhone 17e is nearing the trial production stage, with the mid-range device tentatively scheduled for a May release, according to a proven leaker with sources in Apple’s Chinese supply chain.

WeChat-based leaker Fixed Focus Digital shared the claims on Tuesday, adding that the iPhone 17e release date is currently understood to be late May 2026, although the exact date is unconfirmed.

The leaker also suggested that the iPhone 17e could go head-to-head for market share with another mid-range device from a rival smartphone vendor that typically releases new models around the same time. Possible rivals in China include Xiaomi, Redmi, and vivo.

Starting at $599, the iPhone 16e was released in late February. The iPhone 16e offers a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, an A18 chip, and a USB-C port, positioning it as a more affordable alternative within the iPhone 16 family.

A day before the iPhone 16e was launched, Fixed Focus Digital claimed to have learned of the existence of a “new project codename” in Apple’s supply chain, and suggested there was a “high chance” it related to next year’s iPhone 17e. Fixed Focus Digital was the first leaker to mention the “iPhone 16e” nomenclature back in December, when everyone else still assumed Apple would simply release a new device in its established entry-level “iPhone SE” series.

A February report by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) said Apple was expected to release an iPhone 17e next year, but the report suggested another February launch window for the device.

Introducing a more affordable mid-cycle “e” model could help Apple refresh its flagship lineup and generate more consumer interest than simply re-releasing the standard iPhone in a new color – a strategy the company has used in the past. Buyers would also have a better idea of when to expect the next entry-level device, in contrast to the non-linear roadmap that succeeding iPhone SE models followed.

According to recent data from Counterpoint Research, Apple took the number one position in global smartphone sales during the first quarter of 2025, with Apple benefiting from the iPhone 16e launch and strong performance in emerging markets. It’s the first time Apple has taken the top spot during a first quarter, capturing 19% of the global market.

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here’s What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Despite being more than two years old, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple’s habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven…

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Apple’s iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple’s 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone…

Apple’s 20th Anniversary iPhone May Finally Go All Screen

Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Apple is preparing a “bold” new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone’s 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. As part of what’s being described as a “major shake-up,” Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself. Here’s the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no…

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and …

Apple Releases Wireless CarPlay Fix

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed. Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update’s release notes say it “addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles.” If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should…

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, CarPlay Bug Fix, and More

This week saw rumor updates on the iPhone 17 Pro and next-generation Vision Pro, while a minor iOS 18.4.1 update delivered not just security fixes but also a fix for some CarPlay issues. We also looked ahead at what else is in Apple’s pipeline for the rest of 2025 and even the 20th-anniversary iPhone coming in 2027, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! iPhone 17 …

iOS 18.5 Includes Only a Few Changes So Far

Apple seeded the third beta of iOS 18.5 to developers today, and so far the software update includes only a few minor changes. The changes are in the Mail and Settings apps. In the Mail app, you can now easily turn off contact photos directly within the app, by tapping on the circle with three dots in the top-right corner. In the Settings app, AppleCare+ coverage information is more…