iPhone 17e Launch Next Week: India Price, A19 Chip, 48MP Camera Rumors

• A bunch of sources claim the iPhone 17e might launch as soon as next week, on February 19. That's a break from Apple's usual fall schedule.
• This cheaper iPhone is said to get a 6.1-inch 60Hz LTPS OLED screen and Apple's new A19 chip.
• We don't have a price for India yet, but it's supposed to be Apple's next "affordable" phone.

Just a heads up: Everything here comes from leaks and rumors. Nothing's official yet, so don't go planning a purchase based on this.

A wave of new leaks says Apple might be ready to show off the budget iPhone 17e next week. The big talk is about it getting the A19 processor, which would be a solid upgrade.

Where This Info Came From

Who's Talking

• Leaker/Source: A few different places, like Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a tipster named @vinishkeshri12, and some other tech reports.
• Track Record: Mark Gurman is usually spot-on about Apple stuff. The other reports and tipsters have been right and wrong before.
• Leak Type: This is all insider info and claims about when it'll launch and what's inside.
• Surfaced On: These reports popped up in early February 2026 on Bloomberg, Threads, and other tech news sites.

Can We Trust It?

Because Mark Gurman's involved, the main idea about the launch date feels pretty solid. But you should take the specific details from other people, like how much RAM it has, with a grain of salt for now.

The Rumored Specs

If the leaks are right, the iPhone 17e looks like a decent step up from the last model. The most repeated rumor is about the A19 processor, which a few outlets like Livemint and Times Now have mentioned. That chip should make it much faster. For memory, a tipster on Threads says it could have 8GB of RAM. Everyone seems to agree the display is a 6.1-inch OLED, but they don't all agree on the type. Some call it a standard OLED, while others say it's specifically a 60Hz LTPS OLED.

The Camera Rumors

The camera might get a real boost. The biggest rumor is a new 48MP single camera on the back, according to Livemint and that same Threads tipster. That's a huge jump from the 12MP sensor the iPhone 16e is rumored to have. For selfies, the front camera might go up to 18MP. If that's true, it means Apple's budget phone camera hardware is getting a lot better. Of course, how good the photos actually look will depend on Apple's software.

When It Might Launch

This is the most surprising part. Several sources, like Techeblog and Gulf News, say Apple could announce the phone next week, maybe on February 19. That's a huge change from their normal September iPhone event. It fits with another report from India Today saying Apple will have a busy launch schedule early in 2026. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also hinted an announcement might come "as early as next week." If this is all true, Apple wants to get its cheaper phone out there much earlier in the year.

What We Still Don't Know

The leaks give us a rough idea, but some really important stuff is still a mystery. We've got no reliable info on the price, especially for India. We also don't know what it'll look like. Will it keep the iPhone 16e's design or change it? And what about the battery? There's no word on its size or how long it might last. We know the A19 chip is mentioned, but we don't know how much better it is than the A18.

All the Rumored Specs in One Place

Confidence levels: High = a few sources agree, Medium = one good source, Low = just speculation or a single tip

Stacking It Up Against the Old Model

Here's how the rumored iPhone 17e might compare to what we think we know about the iPhone 16e.

What This Means for India

Possible Launch Timing

If the global announcement is next week, India might not be far behind. Apple's been trying to launch iPhones everywhere at about the same time lately. So you could see pre-orders in India within a week or two of the big reveal.

What It Might Cost

Here's the thing, nobody's leaked a price for anywhere, India included. It's supposed to be the "affordable" iPhone. So you can expect it to cost less than the regular iPhone 17 models, probably around what the old iPhone SE or the last 'e' model cost. Any specific number you see right now is just a guess.

Where You Could Buy It

• You'll probably find it at all the big Apple stores and their official online site.
• Big online shops like Amazon and Flipkart should have it too, maybe with some opening-day deals.
• There's no rumor about special versions just for India yet.

What About BIS Certification?

Right now, there's no sign of the iPhone 17e on India's BIS certification website. They need that stamp before they can sell it here. It's a bit strange we haven't seen it, with all these launch rumors. Keep an eye out for this, it's a big clue.

Your Questions Answered

How reliable are these leaks?

The February launch date has good backing from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg. The other spec details are shakier, so don't bet on them just yet.

When is the official announcement expected?

A lot of the chatter points to the week of February 19, 2026. But you won't know for sure until Apple sends out an invite or a press release.

Should I wait for the iPhone 17e or buy an iPhone 16e now?

If the launch is really next week, it makes sense to wait and see the official details. But if your phone just died and you need one today, the current models are right there.

Will the iPhone 17e have a 120Hz display?

All the current leaks say it's a 60Hz screen. That keeps it in the budget zone, below the fancier iPhones with ProMotion.

Where will it be available in India?

If it launches, it'll almost definitely be on Apple's India website, at authorized sellers, and on all the major online stores.

The Takeaway

So here's the story. If the rumors are right, Apple is making a strong play for the budget market with the iPhone 17e. An early launch and bigger upgrades, especially for the chip and camera, could shake things up. But without a real price or any official word, you've got to be careful. We'll keep watching for more info and update this if anything solid comes out.

Sources

• Livemint
• Times Now
• Threads post by @vinishkeshri12
• Techeblog
• Gulf News
• India Today