Apple to launch affordable iPhone 17e with upgraded chip

Apple is planning to introduce a more affordable variant of its forthcoming iPhone 17 model, dubbed the iPhone 17e, as well as an advanced version of its voice assistant, Siri, as per a latest report from Bloomberg.

The iPhone 17e will follow in the footsteps of last year’s iPhone 16e, which was introduced as a lower-cost option by implementing older technological hardware to lower manufacturing costs.

The new iPhone 17e will, like the regular iPhone 17, come equipped with a better processor, along with Apple’s custom-made cellular and Wi-Fi chipsets.

For the first time ever, the iPhone 17e also features wireless MagSafe charging, which increases the attractiveness of the iPhone 17e further. Nevertheless, the price tag for the iPhone 17e from the house of Apple is expected to remain the same at $599 or £599, without any hike from the previous version.

In September 2025, Apple launched its new line of iPhones, dubbed the iPhone 17 series. This series consists of the standard edition of the new iPhone 17, the high-end iPhone 17 Pro, and the high-end version of the new iPhone, denoted as the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

However, the main attraction of the launch event was the introduction of the new iPhone Air, the thinnest iPhone to be created by Apple at merely 5.6mm.

Meanwhile, Apple also launched the Apple Watch Series 11, which includes 5G connectivity, health-monitoring features, and satellite connectivity for the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

The entry-level option is the Apple Watch SE 3, which includes the usual hardware refinements like the always-on display, a fast processor, 5G connectivity, and is priced at $249.