Apple Employees Report iPhone 16e Inventory Running Low, Indicating Upcoming Release of iPhone 17e

Anticipation is building for the iPhone 17e, which is poised to become Apple’s inaugural hardware launch of 2026. Recent reports suggest that the supply of the current-generation iPhone 16e is running low, hinting that the announcement for its successor may be imminent. This development aligns with Apple’s historical patterns of refreshing their product line as inventory depletes.

M3 iPad Air Shortages Signal Incoming M4 Refresh

Renowned tech journalist Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has a strong reputation for accurate predictions, and while details about the M5 Pro and M5 Max remain under wraps, he has confirmed exciting insights about upcoming Apple products. The iPhone 17e could be revealed shortly through a press release, as expected changes appear minimal. The upcoming model will include a refreshed design featuring a Dynamic Island cutout and an upgraded A19 chipset, while maintaining the existing C1 5G modem, providing no marked advancements in cellular performance over the iPhone 16e.

Moreover, Gurman indicates that Apple might introduce two exciting products simultaneously, as reports of depleting M3 iPad Air inventory suggest preparations for the M4 refresh. Similar to the iPhone 17e, the M4 iPad Air is expected to undergo internal enhancements but retain the same design. This strategy is advantageous for Apple, as it allows for cost savings in manufacturing while simplifying the supply chain logistics, given that both devices share many components with their predecessors.

Apple retail employees say that inventory of the iPhone 16e has basically dried out and the iPad Air is seeing shortages as well. I’ve been expecting new versions of both (iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air) in the coming weeks.https://t.co/yOPuN4QAzM

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) February 12, 2026

Regarding shipment numbers, information on the M4 iPad Air remains unavailable. However, Apple’s exclusive OLED supplier, BOE, has delivered approximately 8 million displays for the iPhone 17e. While this figure is modest compared to other popular models, it marks a positive start for the first quarter of 2026, indicating that production lines are actively gearing up for Apple’s new releases.

For continuous updates on Apple’s latest innovations, refer to Mark Gurman’s insights via his Twitter account.

News Source: Mark Gurman

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