Apple is preparing to replace its "affordable" iPhone, and all indications are that the next generation will come with a key change: The iPhone 17e would finally feature MagSafeThis decision, if confirmed, would mean leaving behind one of the most repeated criticisms of the iPhone 16e, especially in markets like Spain and the rest of Europe, where the mid-range is very tight and cutbacks are scrutinized.
Various reports and leaks agree that the new model would maintain the philosophy of the current one: More affordable price, very powerful hardware, and some compromises in screen and extrasThe big difference would be that, this time, Apple would avoid repeating the mistake that so many users pointed out in the first generation: launching an iPhone for more than 700 euros without compatibility with the company's ecosystem of magnetic accessories.
MagSafe on the iPhone 17e: Apple corrects the mistake
One of the most controversial aspects of the iPhone 16e was its total absence of MagSafeDespite the fact that all iPhones with similar prices—and many cheaper Android phones—already feature modern magnetic charging, the 16e only offered Qi wireless charging up to 7,5W, a figure that many European users considered quite conservative for a device in that price range.
Apple's official explanation didn't help either: the company argued that The target audience for that model usually charged their mobile phone via cable. and that fast wireless charging wasn't a priority for that segment. That justification was seen by a large part of the community as an unconvincing argument, especially in countries like Spain, where MagSafe has become popular thanks to accessories such as external batteries, wallets, and car chargers.
With the iPhone 17e, leaks suggest that the brand has backtracked. Various sources agree that The new model will integrate the MagSafe magnet system on the backrestoring the phone's compatibility with cases, wallets, magnetic charging docks, and other official and third-party accessories. For users who have already invested in ecosystem of magnetic accessoriesThis would make a significant difference when choosing a mobile phone.
Furthermore, the inclusion of MagSafe is expected to bring with it a significant increase in wireless charging speed: Power outputs are being discussed as being around 20W, and peaks of up to 25W are even mentioned. in some rumors. If confirmed, the jump from the 7,5W of the iPhone 16e would be significant, bringing the charging experience closer to that of the standard models in the 17 range.
All of this would also fit with the progressive adoption of the Qi2 standard, which uses magnetic attachment similar to MagSafe and is already starting to appear in chargers and accessories in Europe. The combination of MagSafe and Qi2 would put the iPhone 17e in a much more competitive position compared to the mid-range Android offering, which already offers very advanced charging solutions.
Design inherited from the iPhone 15 and doubts about the screen
Beyond the charging capabilities, another expected change concerns the device's appearance. Leaks suggest that The iPhone 17e would debut a design based on that of the iPhone 15abandoning some of the more continuity-oriented lines of the 16e. This would imply somewhat more stylized frames and a format more in line with the rest of the current catalog.
The main point of debate is the front end. Some sources claim that the 17e It would retain the classic notchThis would leave this model as the last bastion of that design in Apple's lineup. However, other reports maintain that it will eventually receive the Dynamic Islands, just like the rest of the iPhone 17 and the iPhone Air, thus reducing the visual differences between the "cheap" model and the standard ones.
There does seem to be a fairly broad consensus on the absence of ProMotion. Everything points to that The iPhone 17e screen would remain locked at 60 Hz, without an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. In 2026, this would put it behind many mid-range Android phones, which already offer 90 or 120Hz panels in similar price ranges.
According to rumors, the panel size would be similar to that of the 16e, but with Slightly thinner bezels to improve the feeling of a usable screenThere would be no major changes in resolution or in the basic technology of the panel, which would continue to be geared towards offering good brightness and color, but without the extras of the Pro ranges.
In terms of photography, the focus would be on simplicity with a single rear sensor, although there would be a clear improvement here: It's rumored to have a 48-megapixel main camera. inherited from previous generations of iPhone, accompanied by a higher resolution front camera, around 18 megapixels according to some recent leaks.
MagSafe and accessories: the ecosystem returns to the economic model
The return of MagSafe doesn't just impact charging. In practice, reactivates the entire ecosystem of magnetic accessories in the entry-level rangeThis is especially relevant in European countries where these accessories are readily available in physical and online stores.
With the iPhone 16e, many users encountered a curious situation: They were coming from an iPhone with MagSafe and, by switching to this "cheap" model, they lost compatibility. with their wallets, batteries, or car mounts. This forced them to buy new accessories or give up part of the experience they were already used to.
If the rumors are true, the iPhone 17e would once again allow docking magnetic external batteries, card wallets, dashboard mounts, or tripods which take advantage of the rear magnet ring. For content creators, for example, this would make it easier to use the phone with magnetic mounts for video recording or video calls.
Furthermore, the potential adoption of Qi2 would open the door to more certified accessoriesnot only from Apple, but also from third parties that work with this standard. This could lower the cost of entering the magnetic ecosystem For those who don't want to invest in official accessories, a sensitive point in the European market, which is very accustomed to combining brands.
In this context, the iPhone 17e would fit better with the company's overall strategy: to offer a more economical model without breaking the thread with the rest of the ecosystemSomething that, with the first generation, was called into question precisely because of the lack of MagSafe.
High-end power: A19 chip and new 5G modem
One area where Apple doesn't seem willing to cut corners is internal performance. Various reports agree that The iPhone 17e would use the A19 chipThe same processor that will be used in the "regular" iPhone 17 models. This would put the entry-level model on par with the brand's high-end offerings.
This processor, manufactured using a 3-nanometer process, would arrive accompanied by a new 5G C1 or C1X modemThis is an evolution of the technology already seen in more advanced models like the iPhone Air. The idea is to offer better network stability, faster mobile data speeds, and superior energy efficiency—key to extending battery life for everyday use.
The leaks also mention the inclusion of N1 chip to improve wireless connections In general: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and accessory connectivity. This would reinforce the 17e's role as a complete entry point to the Apple ecosystem, without the connectivity compromises traditionally seen in cheaper models.
With this hardware setup, the iPhone 17e would have plenty of headroom to handle things smoothly. Apple Intelligence features which the company is extending to its latest devices. While we'll have to see exactly what features this model will include, everything suggests that the experience with AI tasks, photo and video editing, and advanced assistants will be well covered.
In practice, the strategy would be the same as with 16e: The design is somewhat more evolutionary, but it's a top-of-the-line "engine".This approach, as seen in sales, has worked quite well among those who prefer to prioritize performance and battery life over extras such as a higher refresh rate screen or a second camera.
48-megapixel camera and Center Stage: photo and video improvements
In photography, the iPhone 17e wouldn't compete with the Pro models, but Yes, it would introduce clear improvements over the 16eThe most detailed leak speaks of a 48-megapixel main rear sensor, similar to the one Apple has been using in recent generations, with the brand's usual image processing to combine resolution and good low-light performance.
On the front, an 18-megapixel camera is mentioned with support for Center StageThe feature that automatically frames the user in video calls and recordings. This feature, already present in other devices from the company, This would allow for better use of the framing, even when recording in vertical format while the video is viewed horizontally.This is especially useful for content creators and those who frequently use video calls.
Although no major extravagances are expected in the number of sensors, the combination of a high-resolution main camera, good processing, and improvements to the front camera This would place the iPhone 17e in a competitive position against other mid-to-high-end phones, especially considering its integration with the rest of Apple's services.
The brand would continue to rely on a simple formula: few lenses, but well usedsupported by the new A19 chip and Apple Intelligence capabilities for tasks such as smart cropping, portrait enhancement, and video processing.
For now, the details about specific modes New camera features are scarce, but everything indicates that Apple's goal is for this model to offer a more complete photo and video experience than the previous generation, without increasing the final cost.
Price, European context and competition in the mid-range
One of the key factors in assessing the impact of the iPhone 17e in Spain and the rest of Europe will be its price. The iPhone 16e It was launched in our country for over 700 eurosreaching and even exceeding the €1.000 mark in the 512GB configuration. For a model presented as an "affordable" option, that figure generated considerable debate.
Despite this, sales figures were positive and the 16e It ended up becoming one of the best-selling iPhones.Thanks to a combination of a powerful processor, generous battery, and a slightly lower price than the standard models, Apple seems poised to repeat this strategy with the 17e, but this time addressing the lack of MagSafe to better justify the cost.
The problem for the company is that Competition in the European mid-range market has intensifiedBrands like OnePlus, Samsung, and Google are preparing models such as the OnePlus 15R, the Galaxy A57, and the Pixel 10a, which would arrive around the same time and with very aggressive specifications in terms of screen, camera, and fast charging.
In this context, equipping the iPhone 17e with MagSafe, a better camera, a next-generation chip, and a complete ecosystem of accessories could be the way to compensate for certain shortcomings compared to Androidsuch as the absence of ProMotion or the lack of multiple rear cameras. For many users, the integration with iOS, Apple Intelligence, and accessories will ultimately outweigh the raw specifications.
If Apple keeps the price in a similar range to the 16e, the key will be for the user to perceive that, this time, It is not giving up functions already considered “basic” within the brand's ecosystem, such as MagSafe. This balance between cost and performance will be crucial, especially in markets with a strong Android offering and carriers heavily promoting the mid-range market.
Launch schedule and expectations
Regarding dates, the main industry sources place the arrival of the iPhone 17e in the first months of 2026There is talk of a launch in the first half of the year, and some analysts specifically point to a schedule very similar to that of the previous generation, which was presented around February.
If these deadlines are met, we could see the device in Europe. in stores in late winter or early springThis coincides with the arrival of several of its direct rivals on Android. This would make the start of the year a particularly intense period for the mid-range market, with several strong alternatives available.
Meanwhile, all available information continues to arrive via leaks, analyst reports, and sources close to the supply chainNone of the above has been officially confirmed by Apple, so it's best to remain cautious until the company makes formal announcements.
Even so, the consistency of data from different sources suggests that the addition of MagSafe, the A19 chip, and the new 5G modem These are fairly likely elements in the final device configuration. Other aspects, such as the presence or absence of Dynamic Island or more significant changes to the screen, continue to generate conflicting reports.
Based on everything we know so far, the iPhone 17e is shaping up to be a continuation but necessary evolution of the first generation: it would maintain the focus of an "affordable" iPhone with plenty of internal power, but addressing the absence of MagSafe, reinforcing the connectivity section and giving a small boost to the camera and design, with an eye on a European market where the mid-range no longer forgives poorly justified cuts.
