The Cheapest iPhone 17 Is Coming – Has Apple Gone Too Far?

The iPhone 17 lineup is arguably Apple’s most successful in years. The standard model now offers near-Pro features, the Pro is even more versatile, and the Air model shines with its thin and lightweight design. In the $700+ segment, Apple remains rock-solid.

But in the so-called “budget” range, the story is different. The iPhone 16 and the SE-successor 16e are holding the line, but neither feels affordable. The iPhone 16 only costs about $100 less than the 17, and the 16e lacks clear value compared to Android flagships.

Now, leaks suggest that in 2026 Apple will launch the iPhone 17e—a so-called budget model that still feels compromised:

• Display: 6.1-inch, upgraded from notch to Dynamic Island, but still locked at 60Hz refresh rate with thick bezels.
• Chipset: Powered by the A19 chip (same 6CPU+5GPU as iPhone 17), paired with 8GB RAM.
• Camera: Single 48MP rear + 12MP front.
• Battery: Could outperform the iPhone 17 in endurance thanks to a larger cell and efficiency tweaks.

In short, the iPhone 17e is basically a watered-down iPhone. If it sticks to the iPhone 16e’s price point, it will hardly be competitive. The only way it makes sense is if Apple starts at 256GB storage, prices it around $500 (after subsidies), and offers colorful options. Otherwise, most buyers will simply go for a discounted iPhone 17—or a feature-packed Android flagship.