In a fresh wave of speculation, reports have surfaced regarding the anticipated iPhone 17e, indicating that Apple may be on the verge of initiating trial manufacturing for this model. This development is particularly intriguing as it arises approximately a year ahead of the expected launch date.

The initial whispers regarding the iPhone 17e were shared by the trusted leaker known as Fixed Focus Digital back in February 2025. Recently, this same source has re-emerged with additional insights about the upcoming device, albeit with a touch of repetition in their message.

According to the translations of the latest posts from Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, they wrote, "The transformation of the 17e production line has been put on the agenda... Riddle: There will still be 17e next year, and now it is almost in the trial production stage." This cryptic remark hints at significant progress in the early stages of production.

In a follow-up update, the leaker provided a tentative timeline, stating that the iPhone 17e is currently scheduled to be unveiled in May 2026. While this gives fans something to look forward to, it also raises questions about the timeline's feasibility.

There is a notable absence of other leaks discussing the iPhone 17e, which invites further speculation surrounding the claim that the model is "almost" in trial production. Typically, Apple begins trial production for their iPhones approximately six to nine months prior to their official release. For the iPhone 17e to hit the market in May 2026, one might expect low-volume test manufacturing to commence around August 2025 at the earliest.

This timeline presents an interesting contradiction; if the iPhone 17e is genuinely nearing this critical phase, even the maximum nine-month lead time would suggest a January 2026 release. This aligns more closely with the launch of the iPhone 16e, which was officially announced on February 19, 2025. At that time, Apple CEO Tim Cook described it as "the newest member of the family," indicating a potential annual update cycle for this series.

However, if the iPhone 17e is indeed in the pipeline, it seems unlikely that Apple would delay its manufacturing process or amass a surplus of early production units in China or other regions for an extended period. Therefore, if the leaker's assertion about the imminent trial production of the iPhone 17e holds any weight, it casts doubt on the anticipated May 2026 release date.

It is worthwhile to mention that while Fixed Focus Digital has an average track record concerning leaks, they did achieve a significant milestone when they were among the first to indicate that the forthcoming iPhone SE 4 would be rebranded as the iPhone 16e. This history adds a layer of credibility to their claims, even as uncertainty looms over the specifics of the iPhone 17es production and launch schedule.