Apple will launch an iPhone 17e within the first half of subsequent yr, in response to revered business analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Corroborating a current report that Apple will swap to a break up iPhone launch technique, Kuo on Monday provided his own interpretation of Apple’s roadmap for the subsequent two years:
- 2H25: iPhone 17 Professional Max, iPhone 17 Professional, iPhone 17 Slim, iPhone 17
- 1H26: iPhone 17e
- 2H26: iPhone Foldable, iPhone 18 Professional Max, iPhone 18 Professional, iPhone 18 Slim
- 1H27: iPhone 18, iPhone 18e
- 2H27: iPhone Foldable 2 (already kicked off), iPhone 19 Professional Max, iPhone 19 Professional, iPhone 19 Slim (with a bigger show vs. 18 Slim)
Earlier this yr, Apple launched the iPhone 16e, a extra reasonably priced iPhone 16 mannequin that begins at $599 in the USA and replaces the entry-level iPhone SE line. Over the weekend, The Info outlined a protracted listing of iPhone fashions that Apple plans to launch in 2025, 2026, and 2027, together with an iPhone 18e within the spring of 2027, however there was no point out of an iPhone 17e coming subsequent yr.
Kuo’s roadmap for upcoming iPhone releases exhibits Apple planning to separate its launch cadence with fashions arriving in each the primary half (1H) and second half (2H) of the yr starting in 2026. The schedule consists of the iPhone 18 Professional fashions and a brand new foldable iPhone in late 2026, with commonplace iPhone 18 fashions following in early 2027.
The analyst cites two key elements driving this technique shift. First, Apple’s rivals usually launch new flagship telephones within the first half of the yr, making a “advertising hole” that Apple goals to shut. Second, Apple’s increasing iPhone lineup dangers “diluting advertising efforts” if all fashions launch concurrently.
Chinese language smartphone producers together with Xiaomi, Huawei, OPPO, and Vivo have been steadily eroding Apple’s market share in China with their aggressive flagship units usually launched within the first half of the yr. Huawei’s current resurgence within the premium smartphone section has posed a specific problem to Apple’s place.
Apple’s shift to a break up cycle roadmap can be the primary time Apple has intentionally separated its flagship iPhone lineup releases since establishing its fall launch sample with the iPhone 4S in 2011.