iPhone 17e tipped to get A19 chip and MagSafe support

Apple’s upcoming entry-level iPhone for 2026, the iPhone 17e, could launch sooner than expected. A new report now suggests that Apple is preparing to refresh its most affordable iPhone lineup with some upgrades.  The iPhone 17e will succeed the iPhone 16e and is expected to sit at the bottom of Apple’s 2026 iPhone lineup, aimed at users who want a newer iPhone without paying flagship prices.

iPhone 17e Rumors

Performance

One of the biggest upgrades tipped for the iPhone 17e is its processor. According to the report, Apple could power the phone with the A19 chipset, the same processor expected to debut on the standard iPhone 17. This would be a step up from the A18 chip used on the iPhone 16e.

In addition to the main processor, the iPhone 17e is also said to feature Apple’s newer in-house connectivity silicon. This includes the C1X cellular modem, along with the N1 chip that handles Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread connectivity.

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MagSafe and Software

Another notable change could be the inclusion of MagSafe support. The feature was missing on the iPhone 16e, which limited access to Apple’s magnetic accessories and wireless chargers. But charging speeds haven’t been confirmed yet, but some reports suggest that they could reach up to 25W, similar to what is expected on the iPhone 17.

The iPhone 17e is expected to ship with iOS 26 out of the box. Given Apple’s track record, the device should continue receiving major iOS updates for at least five years. 

iPhone 17e Launch Date and Availability

According to Macwelt, Apple could announce the iPhone 17e as early as February 19. Similar to the iPhone 16e, the company is expected to introduce the device via a press release, instead of a dedicated launch event..Despite the reported hardware upgrades, Apple is tipped to keep the iPhone 17e’s pricing unchanged. The device is expected to start at USD 599, the same as the iPhone 16e. If Apple follows a similar pricing strategy in India, the expected prices could be as follows: