One of the questions raised by the iPhone 16e naming is whether it points to an annual update to the entry-level iPhone, with an iPhone 17e following next year.A leaker who got early wind of the the iPhone 16e name says there are already signs that this may be the case, with a codename believed to reference next years model The iPhone SE was an occasional updateApples previous entry-level phone, the iPhone SE, wasnt updated on a fixed schedule. The original model launched in 2016, with a four-year wait for the 2nd-gen in 2020. That was followed by the 3rd-gen model two years later.Having a completely separate naming convention for the budget model meant that Apple was free to launch new models as and when it wanted, without the name growing dated.But the iPhone 16e could signal a changeBut thats changed with the iPhone 16e. Right now, the name suggests a current model, sitting alongside the existing flagship line-up. But come the September launch of the iPhone 17, the name will already identify it as a previous-generation device.Thats led to speculation that Apple now plans to update the phone annually, with an iPhone 17e launching next year, and annual updates continuing beyond that.This idea seems to have gained traction with a Weibo post by Fixed Focus Digital, one of the first to point to the iPhone 16e name ahead of Apples announcement.A source shared a little information: e model is likely to be available in the next generation. At present, a new project code has been seen, which is suspected to be 17e.9to5Macs TakeThe new naming convention does provide some basis for anticipating annual updates, though it should be noted that Apple has previously continued to sell earlier models, so the company wouldnt necessarily be concerned about a visibly-outdated name.The evidence provided here is relatively weak: a codename which is believed to refer to an iPhone 17e. But on balance, I do believe this is Apples current plan.I use that phrase advisedly, however. As I argued earlier in the month, this is an experiment by Apple. As with the Plus and the mini models, Apple wont hesitate to ditch its latest experiment if sales fail to meet expectations.Photo: 9to5Mac collage of images from Apple andMatthew McBrayeronUnsplashAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel