Conflicting news about whether the "e" model will be updated annually or not emerged after Apple launched the iPhone 16e, the successor to the SE line, in February 2025.
The iPhone SE has been taking a few years to change generations, but the renaming presents an opportunity for an annual launch of Apple's cheapest phone, according to GSM Arena on Wednesday.
Citing a South Korean publication, GSM Arena reports that the iPhone 17e is likely to be released in the spring of 2026.
The phone is rumored to have the exact same display panel as its predecessor, so improvements may be made to other parts of the device.
BOE, Samsung Display, and LG Display all supplied display panels for the iPhone 16e. These three companies are expected to supply display panels again for the upcoming iPhone 17e.
Apple is reportedly set to sell around 20 million units of the iPhone 16e this year, in line with sales of the previous SE model.
