The arrival of the iPhone 16e enables Apple to target various markets that it previously missed out on, thanks to the starting price alone, giving the company sufficient encouragement to make the launches of succeeding models a regular affair. The Cupertino firm was previously reported to be unsure about introducing a new device next year, but according to an analyst’s prediction, Apple is not just going to unveil an iPhone 17e in 2026, but it will follow it up with the iPhone 18e in 2027. However, the interesting part of these predictions is that there is no mention of an iPhone 19e.
Intense competition will force Apple to continue releasing devices like the iPhone 17e and iPhone 18e, but to avoid a sales slump, the launch cycle will be altered
Perhaps the biggest benefit to launching the iPhone 17e and iPhone 18e the next year and the year after is that Apple can pocket more from their sales, as these will likely ship with more in-house parts. According to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 17e is expected to be announced in the first half of 2026, with the iPhone 18e predicted to arrive alongside the base iPhone 18 in the first half of 2027. Kuo did not mention why the iPhone 19e will not succeed the lineup in 2028, but there is a possibility that the analyst will revise his predictions in the near future.
Apple appears to adopt Samsung’s strategy, where the latter launches different smartphones targeting a multitude of price ranges. Previously, the California-based giant could nearly match its rival’s annual shipment tally with a lineup that comprises only three to four models, but things have drastically changed. Intense competition means that consumers have a myriad of options at their disposal, and according to Kuo, they typically stick with the first half of the year to unveil their offerings.
Apple could close the ‘marketing gap’ by choosing to launch the iPhone 17e and iPhone 18e during the same period and announcing the more premium models in the second half. Kuo states that if the technology titan decides to showcase all devices in the second half, it risks diluting its marketing efforts and could potentially cannibalize the sales of the more expensive versions.
It is important to remember that Kuo has been incorrect in the past, and even though Apple has been previously reported to have commenced trial production of the iPhone 17e, we should still treat these predictions with a truckload of salt and await future updates.
News Source: Ming-Chi Kuo
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
