Apple has listened to criticism of the iPhone 16e and is preparing a significant upgrade for its next budget smartphone. According to The Information, the iPhone 17e will gain support for MagSafe wireless charging with power up to 20–25 W — exactly what its predecessor was missing.

What Exactly Is Changing

The iPhone 16e, released in February 2025, offered a strong package for its price: a 6.1-inch OLED display, the A18 chip with Apple Intelligence, a 48-megapixel camera, and the Action button. However, wireless charging remained limited to standard Qi at just 7.5 W, with no magnetic attachment. This meant slow charging and no reliable support for accessories such as car mounts, wallets, or stands.

The iPhone 17e will fix this. MagSafe at 20–25 W is almost three times faster and fully compatible with magnetic accessories. It will also feature Apple’s new C1X modem, the same one introduced in the iPhone Air, offering better energy efficiency and more stable 5G connectivity.

Design and Other Rumors

It is still unclear whether Dynamic Island will be included. Earlier leaks suggested it was possible, but more recent information makes no mention of it. Most likely, the front design will retain a standard notch or a small camera cutout. Other specifications are expected to remain very close to the iPhone 16e, including a similar display, the A19 chip, and the same camera setup.

The iPhone 17e is expected to launch in spring 2026. The iPhone 16e debuted in the US at 599 dollars, and while it is not yet known whether this price will be maintained, a slight increase seems possible due to rising component costs, especially memory.

In Brief

The iPhone 17e will finally add MagSafe charging up to 25 W, fixing the main weakness of the iPhone 16e. It will also introduce the new C1X modem for improved connectivity. Launch is expected in spring 2026, with pricing likely around 599 to 649 dollars. If you are waiting for a budget iPhone with proper wireless charging and magnetic accessories, the next generation should be a much better choice.