Overview
- Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports Apple retail employees say iPhone 16e inventory has “basically dried out,” a sign the iPhone 17e could be announced in the coming weeks.
- Reports say the iPhone 17e is expected to keep a $599 starting price and add MagSafe, an A19 chip, and Apple’s C1X modem and N1 wireless chip, though Apple has not confirmed details.
- GF Securities’ Jeff Pu, echoing Ming‑Chi Kuo, says Apple aims to launch the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max at pricing similar to the iPhone 17 Pro line, with analysts projecting $1,099 and $1,199.
- Analysts attribute the pricing stance to cost‑management steps as DRAM and NAND prices rise due to AI demand and the 2nm A20 Pro chip commands higher costs given TSMC capacity constraints.
- Kuo and others report Apple is striking memory deals with Samsung and SK hynix and optimizing manufacturing, and they also point to a staggered rollout with Pro models in fall 2026 and standard models in spring 2027.