Apple may be getting ready to kick off 2026 with a new iPhone—and the clues are already showing up in stores. According to a trusted report citing retail chatter, inventory of the current iPhone 16e has essentially dried up. That kind of supply squeeze typically isn’t random. It often happens when Apple is preparing to phase out an existing model and replace it with a refreshed version, which is why attention is now shifting to the expected iPhone 17e.
The iPhone 17e is widely tipped to become Apple’s first hardware launch of 2026, and it may arrive sooner than many people expected. The latest update suggests Apple could announce it via a press release rather than a full event, largely because the changes are expected to be evolutionary rather than dramatic. In other words, this looks like a practical refresh designed to keep the lower-cost iPhone lineup current without reinventing the formula.
So what’s new? The biggest rumored upgrades are a switch to a Dynamic Island-style cutout and a move to Apple’s newer A19 chipset. Beyond that, the iPhone 17e is expected to retain Apple’s C1 5G modem. If that holds true, buyers shouldn’t expect major improvements in cellular connectivity compared to the iPhone 16e, as the modem remains the same—making performance gains more about processing power and daily responsiveness than network capability.
Interestingly, the iPhone may not be the only Apple product about to refresh. The same report notes that the M3 iPad Air is also starting to see shortages, which could signal that Apple is clearing shelf space for an M4 iPad Air. Much like the rumored iPhone 17e, this iPad update is expected to focus on internal improvements rather than a redesign. For Apple, this approach makes sense: keeping the exterior and many components consistent can lower manufacturing costs, simplify production, and reduce supply chain complexity—especially when products share parts with their immediate predecessors.
On the supply side, there’s no clear shipment estimate yet for the M4 iPad Air. However, one notable detail tied to the iPhone 17e is that BOE—reported to be Apple’s sole supplier for the OLED panels used in this model—has reportedly shipped around 8 million units. That number isn’t huge compared to Apple’s flagship volumes, but it’s enough to support a meaningful rollout and suggests Apple is preparing inventory for early 2026 availability.
All signs point to Apple lining up a busy start to the year, potentially unveiling the iPhone 17e and the M4 iPad Air in close succession. If you’ve been considering an iPhone 16e or an M3 iPad Air, these stock shortages may be a strong hint that new versions are nearly here—and waiting could get you newer hardware at a similar tier.
