Alleged iPhone 17e Benchmark Leak Raises Red Flags

Experts warn the latest benchmark scores for Apple's upcoming budget iPhone model are likely fabricated.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

A recent Geekbench 6 benchmark leak claiming to show performance details of the upcoming iPhone 17e is being dismissed by tech experts as likely fabricated. The leak features numerous red flags, including an incorrect device identifier, CPU core count, clock speed, and RAM configuration that do not align with Apple's typical iPhone specifications. Analysts advise readers to wait for official benchmark results from Apple after the iPhone 17e's launch, as the company is typically successful in keeping pre-release performance data secure.

Why it matters

Benchmark leaks can generate significant hype and speculation around new smartphone releases, but inaccurate or misleading information can also lead to consumer confusion. This latest iPhone 17e benchmark appears to be an attempt to spread misinformation, underscoring the importance of verifying tech leaks against a company's historical product details and launch patterns.

The details

The alleged iPhone 17e benchmark on Geekbench 6 lists the device as having an 8-core CPU running at 3.76GHz, 10GB of RAM, and a unique identifier of 'iPhone99,11' - all of which contradict Apple's typical iPhone specifications. Experts note the A-series chips have historically used a 6-core CPU configuration, the clock speed is lower than expected for a new model, and the RAM amount is higher than the 8GB found in the current iPhone 16e. Additionally, the motherboard designation 'VPHONE600AP' does not match identifiers used for recent iPhone models.

  • The iPhone 17e is expected to be announced on February 19, 2026, keeping the same launch timeline as the iPhone 16e.

The players

Apple

The multinational technology company that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services.

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What’s next

Actual Geekbench 6 results for the iPhone 17e are expected to be released shortly after the device's official announcement by Apple.

The takeaway

This latest iPhone 17e benchmark leak serves as a reminder to be cautious of unverified performance claims ahead of a product's launch, as tech companies like Apple work hard to maintain the secrecy of their upcoming devices' specifications until their official unveiling.