Apple is said to be gearing up for trial production of its upcoming mid-range phone, the iPhone 17e, for release in late May 2026. The information comes through Fixed Focus Digital, a WeChat-based leaker with reliable news gathered from Apple’s Chinese supply chain.
iPhone 17e progressing toward trial production
As reported by Fixed Focus Digital, the iPhone 17e is close to reaching a major milestone in its production cycle, which means Apple is right on schedule for a second quarter launch in 2026. Although the date remains unconfirmed, the leaker stated that Apple will soon initiate production trials, paving the way for an early May release.
This coincides with Apple’s latest move towards bringing more budget-friendly mid-cycle devices, especially the launch of the iPhone “e” series. The iPhone 16e released in February 2025 was the pioneering model and looks to have paved the way for subsequent models like the 17e.
Positioning in the mid-range market
The iPhone 17e will likely battle in the mid-range smartphone market, a category held tightly by companies such as Xiaomi, Redmi, and vivo, particularly in China. Such competitors tend to launch their products in the same quarter, so the market is highly competitive in terms of timing and features, which can play a major role in market share.
For those who are unaware, the iPhone 16e, priced from $599, boasts a 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, Apple A18 chip, and USB-C port, which will be an attractive choice for buyers looking for top-notch features at a more affordable price tag. The iPhone 17e will probably follow the same strategy with incremental hardware advancements.
History of accurate leaks
Fixed Focus Digital has an increasing track record of reliable Apple-related leaks. In December 2024, the same leaker accurately forecasted the iPhone 16e name when all reports still anticipated an iPhone SE refresh. A day prior to the iPhone 16e announcement, the leaker spoke of a new project codename seen in Apple’s supply chain, thought to be related to the iPhone 17e.
Although Apple has yet to officially reveal the existence of the iPhone 17e, supporting information came from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), which also predicted a new “e” model for the year 2026. CIRP previously, however, had indicated a different February launch, leaving one to wonder if Apple is testing a less rigid launch pattern for its mid-range series.
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