Apple Prepares to Launch iPhone 17e and New MacBook Pro Models
Apple is gearing up for a busy few weeks with multiple product launches on the horizon. According to Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter, the release of the iPhone 17e is imminent, possibly arriving as soon as Thursday, 19 February. Alongside this budget iPhone, Apple is also expected to unveil new MacBook Pro models powered by the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, potentially launching in the first week of March. Additionally, the upcoming iOS 26.4 update promises a revamped Siri experience enhanced by advanced AI capabilities.
Key Features and Specifications of the iPhone 17e
The iPhone 17e is anticipated to feature a 6.1-inch LTPS OLED display, maintaining a 60Hz refresh rate, which may disappoint some users hoping for a higher refresh rate. A significant design update is the replacement of the traditional notch with the Dynamic Island, bringing a consistent look across Apple’s iPhone range. Powering the device will be the new A19 chip, offering a modest performance boost of 5 to 10 percent over the A18 chip found in the iPhone 16e.
Connectivity-wise, the iPhone 17e is expected to include the C1-series modem but will not feature the N1 chip. Other notable specs include magnetic wireless charging, a 12MP front-facing camera, Face ID facial recognition, and a 48MP rear camera. Pricing is likely to remain steady at $599, matching the iPhone 16e’s launch price, with a possible increase in base storage to 256GB, enhancing value for buyers.
New MacBook Pro Models and the iOS 26.4 Update
Turning to Apple’s laptop lineup, the new MacBook Pro models equipped with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to debut shortly after the iPhone 17e. Gurman suggests a launch as early as the week of 2 March, coinciding with the macOS 26.3 update cycle that extends through March. Supporting this timeline, current inventories of M4-series MacBook Pros are reportedly running low, a common indicator that Apple is preparing to introduce new hardware.
Meanwhile, the iOS 26.4 update is poised to bring a significantly enhanced Siri experience. The first beta could arrive in the week of 23 February, introducing a version of Siri powered by a custom Google Gemini AI model. This upgrade aims to enable advanced in-app actions, personal context awareness, and on-screen awareness, allowing Siri to perform a range of intelligent tasks by analysing personal data and screen content. Apple plans to deploy a vast 1.2-trillion-parameter Gemini AI model on its cloud servers, balancing on-device processing with cloud-based AI to deliver powerful and private voice assistant capabilities.
Looking Ahead
With the iPhone 17e launch imminent and new MacBook Pros expected shortly after, Apple is setting the stage for a notable early-year product refresh. The arrival of the iOS 26.4 update with its AI-driven Siri enhancements will further enrich the user experience across devices. Tech enthusiasts should keep an eye on announcements in the coming weeks to see how these developments unfold.