In summary:
- Macworld advises against purchasing the iPhone 16e now, as the iPhone 17e is expected to launch in March or April with significant upgrades.
- The upcoming iPhone 17e will feature the A19 chip offering 10% faster CPU performance, MagSafe technology, and the Dynamic Island display design.
- At an expected $599 price point, the iPhone 17e addresses key criticisms of the iPhone 16e while providing better value for consumers.
The iPhone 16e was introduced last year as a cheaper alternative to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. It mixes components from different generations of iPhones with one of the latest chips inside and is available at a much more affordable price. But if you’ve been thinking about buying one, it’s best to wait a bit more.
If the latest rumors are accurate, Apple is preparing to announce the iPhone 17e as early as March or April. And while the changes may sound incremental, together they should make the iPhone 17e a more appealing upgrade.
Read on as we break down what to expect from the iPhone 17e, and why you should wait to buy Apple’s new entry-level smartphone rather than buying the iPhone 16e right now.
A familiar design
Based on the latest leaks, the iPhone 17e won’t come with any major design changes. The device is expected to keep essentially the same design as the iPhone 16e, including the aluminum frame and minimalist rear with a single camera lens.
If true, this comes as no surprise. The main purpose of the “e” line is to offer an iPhone with a high-end processor but without other fancy technologies, in order to keep costs down. For buyers, this means that the current iPhone 16e may not look outdated anytime soon, but the design alone is not a reason to buy now rather than wait.
A potential display upgrade
The iPhone 17e is also rumored to keep the same size 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate: no ProMotion and no always-on display. Again, exactly what you’d expect from Apple’s most affordable iPhone. However, one rumor suggests a meaningful change: the addition of the Dynamic Island.
If true, this would be a nice upgrade. The iPhone 16e’s notch already feels dated compared to the latest iPhone models. Dynamic Island has quietly become one of Apple’s best interface ideas for the iPhone, making the hardware behind the front camera almost disappear.
Even with the same display specs as the iPhone 16e, Dynamic Island alone would make the iPhone 17e look much more modern, on par with the latest iPhones.
Foundry
Latest chip with improved performance
While the current iPhone 16e is powered by the same A18 chip as the iPhone 16 line, the iPhone 17e is expected to have the A19 chip inside. It’s the same chip as the base model iPhone 17, and it delivers about 10% faster CPU and 20% better graphics performance.
The jump may not sound significant for most everyday tasks such as texting or browsing, but it definitely makes a difference for those who like to play games or use graphics-heavy apps that require more GPU power.
Of course, the A19 chip is also more energy efficient than the A18, which means that the iPhone 17e could offer extended battery life even if Apple keeps the battery capacity the same.
While the iPhone 16e is still a powerful phone, having the latest chip means your phone will last longer. If you keep your iPhone for three or four years like many people do, those incremental gains will add up over the years.
Apple
Better connectivity
The iPhone 16e was the first device to feature a custom 5G modem designed by Apple itself. Named “C1,” the modem is better integrated with Apple Silicon and iOS, providing greater energy efficiency.
For the iPhone 17e, Apple plans to use the updated C1X chip, which is already present inside the ultra-thin iPhone Air introduced in September last year. Compared to the C1, the C1X chip unlocks speeds up to twice as fast, while it also uses 30% less energy than the modem inside other iPhones.
For users, this means better 5G reception, faster downloads and uploads, and less battery drain when using cellular data. Combined with the more efficient A19 chip, the C1X should help extend the iPhone 17’s battery life even further.
MagSafe could finally arrive
One of the biggest criticisms of the iPhone 16e is its lack of MagSafe. While it supports standard Qi wireless charging, the lack of magnets limits charging speeds, alignment, and compatibility with many MagSafe accessories.
However, a recent report from The Information suggests Apple plans to fix that with the iPhone 17e. This isn’t just about charging. MagSafe enables wallets, stands, battery packs, car mounts, and countless third-party accessories.
For users coming from the iPhone 12 or newer models, the iPhone 16e seemed like a downgrade without MagSafe. That’s another good reason not to buy the iPhone 16e now and wait for the iPhone 17e.
Foundry
Wait if you can
If you’re not in a hurry to buy a new phone, it’s definitely worth waiting for the iPhone 17e. While none of these upgrades are revolutionary, together they’ll make Apple’s entry-level phone much more powerful and compelling.
Given that the iPhone 17e is expected to be announced in the next three to four months, you’ll get a phone with faster performance, better connectivity, longer battery life, MagSafe, and Dynamic Island on the screen if you can wait a little longer.
If Apple keeps the price of the iPhone 17e at $599, it will undeniably be one of the best options on the market in 2026 when it comes to value for money. And if you buy the iPhone 16e now, you may regret not waiting for the new one.
For more advice on which iPhone to buy read: How to choose the best iPhone for your needs and our comparison of every iPhone.
Author: Filipe Esposito, Contributor
Filipe Espósito is a Brazilian journalist who has been covering tech for over 10 years, and has become known for publishing exclusive reports on Apple's plans – such as the launch of the first titanium Apple Watch. He has worked for 9to5Mac and also co-hosts the tech podcast “A Fonte” in Brazil.