Some interesting specs as well as a near-term release date may be in store for the iPhone 17e and iPad 12.
Per Japanese blog Mac Otakara, which leaked product details on Thursday, both the iPhone 17e and iPad 12 are expected to be released within the next few months.
As of February 2025, Apple discontinued the iPhone SE and released a new entry-level iPhone 16e. The device features a 6.1-inch OLED display, an A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, an Action button, a USB-C port, and more. The iPhone 17e would be the follow-up, spec-bumped model.
Per the leak, which cites “reliable sources,” the iPhone 17e will feature a similar overall design as the iPhone 16e, the report defying previous rumors that the Dynamic Island feature would be removed. Instead, the device will continue to have a notch like the iPhone 16e.
The publication expects three key upgrades for the iPhone 17e:
A19 chip: This one is no big surprise, but the iPhone 17e is expected to be powered by Apple’s A19 chip, up from the A18 chip in the iPhone 16e. This upgrade will result in faster performance and power efficiency improvements.
C1X modem: Apple says its second-generation C1X modem for 5G and LTE is up to twice as fast as its first-generation C1 modem in the iPhone 16e. Apple also says the C1X is the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone to date.
N1 chip: Like the iPhone Air, the report said the iPhone 17e will be equipped with Apple’s N1 chip for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread. In the iPhone Air, the N1 chip supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and Apple says the chip improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.
The report indicated that the iPad 12 will likely feature a similar design as the iPad 11, but feature a newer A18 chip that would support Apple Intelligence. The tablet would also offer 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB in the iPad 11.
Per Macwelt, Apple is looking to announce the iPhone 17e with a press release on an unusual date: Thursday, February 19. The publication agreed that the iPhone 17e will not have a Dynamic Island, but they do expect the device to feature MagSafe, as previously rumored.
For fans of MagSafe, unlike the iPhone 16e, it’s rumored that the iPhone 17e will feature MagSafe for up to 20W-25W magnetic wireless charging. The iPhone 16e is limited to Qi wireless charging at up to 7.5W speeds. Users will also be able to magnetically attach accessories such as Apple’s MagSafe Wallet to the back of the iPhone 17e. The handset is also rumored to offer a single rear camera.
It’s unknown what the iPhone 17e’s price point will be, and if it will be similar to the iPhone 16e, which starts at $599.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via MacRumors, Mac Otakara, and Macwelt
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