It’s been a blended yr for the iPhone. Total, the biggest jewel in Apple’s product crown stays an industry-shaping juggernaut ($49 billion in income for the fourth quarter alone, up 6 p.c on the earlier yr), however for numerous causes and in numerous methods, some fashions failed to drag their weight in 2025.
5 iPhones got here out this yr, and we are able to divide that group into three successes and two failures. The iPhone 17 picked up rave critiques for its enhancements on the 16 and overperformed, whereas the 2 Professional fashions seemingly offered like hotcakes. However the divisive iPhone Air has reportedly confirmed a industrial disappointment, and the much less mentioned in regards to the iPhone 16e, the higher.
Of the 2 struggling telephones, the 16e is extra of a fear. The Air’s obvious low gross sales are being shielded by the higher-priced Professional fashions, which, in some methods, is completely superb. The Air doesn’t actually have to be an enormous vendor to do its job. It made headlines, drew individuals into the Applr Retailer, and nonetheless has worth as a testbed for the tech developments obligatory for a foldable iPhone. Whereas the iPhone 16e is presently Apple’s solely entry level to the huge and profitable price range market, and isn’t a testbed for something aside from prospects’ willingness to compromise on fundamental options.
With all this in thoughts, 2026 is about to be an enormous yr for the iPhone. The iPhone Fold is anticipated to land within the fall, however the launch of the iPhone 17e within the spring might be much more vital. This can give Apple an opportunity–possibly its final likelihood–to display precise worth to price range cellphone patrons earlier than they ditch their outdated trustworthy 2nd-gen iPhone SEs, purchase a Pixel 9a or Galaxy A17 5G, and depart the iOS ecosystem ceaselessly.
The issue with the iPhone 16e is that it takes an excessive amount of and provides too little. It could possibly barely be categorised as a price range product, coming in at $599 in comparison with the iPhone SE 3’s $429. But on the options facet, it falls quick in far too many areas to justify that mid-market price ticket. To persuade price range patrons, Apple must drop the value, or increase the options.
It seems to be just like the second strategy is extra doubtless. Final week, a report advised that one of many 16e’s most gratuitously annoying compromises, the dearth of MagSafe, might be corrected on the following era; pundits speculate that this can be a response to Google including Qi2 help to the Pixel 10 and making the 16e’s worth proposition look much more threadbare. With the Pixel 10a slated to launch quickly after the 17e, at a lower cost and with the corporate’s personal model of magnetic wi-fi charging, the comparability could be significantly embarrassing.
So MagSafe could also be added to the record. Is that sufficient to maneuver the needle? I doubt it. However hopefully Apple gained’t cease there.
A part of the difficulty with the 16e’s lopsided spec sheet was Apple’s need to make it AI-ready, which necessitated the inclusion of a high-end processor and loads of RAM; to maintain the value low (ish), compromises needed to be made in different areas. However with that hurdle cleared, the 17e will be fairly extra balanced. The RAM can keep the identical, and maybe we are able to have a second rear digicam lens. Or a Dynamic Island. Or, who is aware of, a few further shade choices.
Do I feel the iPhone 17e will probably be a real price range possibility? No. Do I feel it is going to be a well-equipped mid-ranger? Perhaps. However in a yr that can inevitably be dominated by a very very costly iPhone, let’s hope that Apple remembers the significance of worth.
Foundry
Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which incorporates all of the Apple information you missed final week in a helpful bite-sized roundup. We name it Apple Breakfast as a result of we expect it goes nice with a Monday morning cup of espresso or tea, however it’s cool if you wish to give it a learn throughout lunch or dinner hours too.
Have your say: In defence of Siri
A really fascinating e mail got here my method following final week’s rant about Siri. Garry, a self-professed “Apple freak,” raised an essential level: it’s troublesome for an organization to grasp and predict person habits whereas additionally respecting person privateness.
“The ‘smartest’ voice assistant is the one which has probably the most details about the person,” he wrote. “So, naturally, Google is presently forward within the ‘sensible’ race as a result of the explanation for each Google app is to gather as a lot information about customers as doable. So… if Apple sticks to its objective of not invading a person’s privateness, it has an enormous downside making Siri ‘smarter’, doesn’t it?
“Personally, given the selection between privateness and a extra with-it Siri, I’ll take privateness each time.”
Thanks, Garry. In case you have any ideas, optimistic or damaging, in regards to the contents of this text, be happy to drop me an e mail.
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Podcast of the week
It was an enormous yr for Apple software program and providers. Within the newest episode of the Macworld Podcast we speak about Liquid Glass, Apple Intelligence, Apple TV, and the opposite launches that formed the corporate’s 2025.
You may catch each episode of the Macworld Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our personal web site.
Evaluations nook
The rumor mill
New report claims Apple’s 2026-27 iPhone roadmap consists of 7 new fashions.
An M5 Max iMac Professional reportedly exists–however we might by no means be capable of purchase it.
Chinese language rumor account claims to have extra particulars in regards to the folding iPhone.
iPhone 18 Professional may change Apple’s entrance digicam design in a significant method.
Video of the week
Eight years in the past, Apple launched the iMac Professional. We reminisce about this one-off in our newest quick. Take pleasure in all our video on TikTok or Instagram.
Software program updates, bugs, and issues
Should you care in regards to the safety of your iPhone, go replace proper now.
iOS 26.2 will activate computerized updates in case you’re not cautious.
First iOS 26.3 beta arrives as launch of new Siri nears.
And with that, we’re finished for this week’s Apple Breakfast. Should you’d prefer to get common roundups, join our newsletters, together with our new e mail from The Macalope–an irreverent, humorous tackle the most recent information and rumors from a half-man, half-mythical Mac beast. You can too comply with us on Fb, Threads, Bluesky, or X for dialogue of breaking Apple information tales. See you subsequent Monday, and keep Appley.
