SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 6, 2026, 01:32 PST
- Sources suggest Apple will unveil the iPhone 17e, their new entry-level model, on February 19.
- The phone is expected to feature MagSafe charging along with upgraded Apple-designed connectivity chips
- Another leak hints that Apple’s upcoming base iPad might feature an A18 chip and increased memory to support Apple Intelligence
Apple is rumored to unveil its next budget iPhone, the iPhone 17e, on Feb. 19. According to industry insiders quoted by Macworld, the phone will reintroduce MagSafe, Apple’s magnetic wireless charging, but will keep a single rear camera and a notched screen.
The timing is key since Apple’s cheapest new iPhone is up for an update just a year after the iPhone 16e took over from the older iPhone SE line. The iPhone 16e sports a 6.1-inch OLED screen, an A18 chip, and Apple Intelligence — the company’s AI toolkit for things like writing and summarizing — with a starting price of $599 in the US, according to MacRumors.
Apple’s move into its own connectivity hardware is set to pick up pace. According to 9to5Mac, the iPhone 17e will likely introduce MagSafe and upgrade to the A19 chip. It’s also expected to feature a C1X modem for 5G and LTE, plus an N1 chip handling Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth.
Japanese site Mac Otakara claims Apple will stick with the iPhone 17e’s chassis and overall design, mirroring the iPhone 16e. The report adds the model probably won’t adopt Apple’s “Dynamic Island” cutout. It also mentions the next base iPad is expected to retain its current casing but upgrade to an A18 chip and 8GB of RAM to boost Apple Intelligence. Mac OTAKARA
According to AppleInsider, the leaks suggest Apple is sticking to a familiar strategy: subtle internal tweaks for entry-level devices instead of major redesigns. The goal appears to be keeping the cheapest iPhone and iPad compatible with the latest software. They also noted that boosting the processor and memory would be the easiest way to enable Apple Intelligence features on the base iPad.
Apple’s entry-level models compete in a packed mid-range space, where Samsung and Google push AI features and rapid charging to attract buyers at sub-flagship prices. Launching an updated “e” iPhone could stop Apple’s cheapest new phone from feeling outdated compared to those rivals’ devices.
MagSafe isn’t just about faster charging. It supports an entire ecosystem of accessories—cases, wallets, stands—and its absence on the iPhone 16e was noticeable, since that model uses standard Qi wireless charging instead of Apple’s magnetic setup.
The situation remains unclear. Wccftech also mentioned a Feb. 19 launch date but suggested shifts that conflict with other leaks, like integrating Dynamic Island and potentially dropping the N1 chip. This highlights just how inconsistent early supply-chain rumors can be.
Apple hasn’t mentioned an iPhone 17e or any plans for a February launch. If they go with a press release, pricing, availability, and the full specs should drop together — clearing up if this update is mostly about MagSafe, a chip upgrade, or a mix of both.
