Apple Plans Entry-Level Trio for Early 2026

Apple plans to introduce three entry-level devices in early 2026, including the iPhone 17e smartphone, a budget MacBook laptop, and a 12th-generation iPad tablet, according to a research note from GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu.

The iPhone 17e, successor to the iPhone 16e released in February 2025, is expected to arrive in mid-first quarter 2026, likely around late February or early March. It will feature the A19 processor used in the standard iPhone 17, marking a continuation of Apple's strategy to equip its affordable phones with flagship-level chips. A key upgrade is the 18-megapixel front-facing Center Stage camera, the same as in the iPhone 17 series. This square sensor design allows users to capture selfies or videos in portrait or landscape orientation without rotating the device, and it includes automatic framing adjustments for video calls. The phone is also anticipated to incorporate Apple's new C1 modem for improved connectivity. Other specifications, such as a single rear camera and a starting price of about $599, are likely to mirror the iPhone 16e, though some reports suggest a potential shift from a notch to a Dynamic Island display cutout.