Apple’s budget follow-up to the iPhone 16e — widely referred to as the iPhone 17e — keeps getting teased in leaks, and a consistent thread is emerging: a nicer-looking front with a familiar limitation.
The headline: multiple leaks, led by the often-cited Weibo account Digital Chat Station, say the iPhone 17e will finally swap the old notch-style cutout for Apple’s Dynamic Island. But unlike its full-price siblings in the iPhone 17 family, the 17e’s display will reportedly remain a 6.1‑inch LTPS OLED panel capped at 60Hz.
Why that matters
Dynamic Island is more than a cosmetic tweak — it changes how the phone shows ongoing activity (timers, live audio, call status) and folds the front sensors into a single, interactive area. For buyers of a cheaper model, that’s a visible upgrade that brings the device closer to the look and feel of Apple’s higher-end phones.
Still, keeping the refresh rate at 60Hz is a clear cost-saving measure. The iPhone 17 and its Pro siblings have ProMotion displays that go up to 120Hz, which deliver smoother scrolling and animations. By holding the 17e to 60Hz, Apple preserves a clear hardware gap between the budget variant and the standard/pay-premium models — and keeps its margins intact.
What else the rumors say
- Chip: The 17e is expected to get an A19 processor. Leaks say the A19 is built on TSMC’s third‑generation 3nm N3P node and offers roughly a 5–10% CPU boost over the A18. A separate rumor suggests Apple could use a downclocked A19 in the cheaper model, which would put its real‑world performance closer to prior Pro chips.
- Cameras and biometrics: Expect a front 12MP camera and Face ID to remain. The rear camera configuration looks set to stay straightforward — reports point to a single-lens rear camera on the base model, similar to prior “e” designs.
- MagSafe and modems: Several leaks suggest the 17e may gain a magnetic ring to enable MagSafe accessories and chargers — a convenience the 16e famously lacked. On the wireless modem front, cost-cutting choices are possible: some posts mention Apple using earlier C1 or C1X modem variants instead of the newest N1 wireless chip.
- Timing and price: Industry whispers peg the iPhone 17e for a first‑half 2026 release window, with some scoops pointing to a February reveal and March availability. The starting price is expected to remain around $599, though nothing is official yet.
A pragmatic upgrade, not a Pro experience
If you compare the rumored spec sheet to the full iPhone 17 lineup, the 17e looks like a careful exercise in balance: adopt the updated industrial design cues and the convenience of Dynamic Island, but refuse the costlier elements that define the Pro experience — namely ProMotion OLEDs and possibly higher-end modems or camera arrays.
Those choices make sense from Apple’s product-mix perspective: keep the entry-level product aspirational enough to attract buyers, but leave room for upsells to the pricier models. If you want the smoother 120Hz visuals and the top-tier camera hardware, you’ll still need to opt for an iPhone 17 or a Pro model. For context on how Apple positioned the iPhone 17 series and why those differences matter, see our earlier look at what’s new in the iPhone 17 family iPhone 17 and 17 Pro: What’s Really New, Who Should Upgrade, and Why Many Are Choosing Pro.
How this fits into Apple’s roadmap
The move to bring Dynamic Island to a lower-cost iPhone follows Apple’s recent pattern of trickling premium features down the lineup over time. Rumors about the next-generation lineup — including the iPhone Air and the iPhone 18 series — suggest Apple will keep iterating on display tech and camera designs across different price bands. A leaked roadmap discussing potential upgrades to the second‑gen iPhone Air hints at camera changes elsewhere in the family, showing Apple’s broader strategy of spreading improvements selectively Leaked Roadmap: Second‑Gen iPhone Air May Gain a Second 48MP Camera as Apple Prepares Major 2026 Shake‑Up.
A final note on Apple’s software and services: hardware is only one piece of the puzzle. Apple’s ongoing work to upgrade Siri and other AI capabilities — including partnerships around foundation models — will affect the user experience across devices, budget or premium. Apple’s choices here could make even a modestly specced handset feel more capable through software alone Apple to Use a Custom Google Gemini Model to Power Next‑Gen Siri.
If you’re in the market
For buyers who prioritize design and ecosystem conveniences but don’t need Pro-level smoothness, the 17e’s rumored Dynamic Island plus an A19-era chip could be a compelling mid-tier pick — especially if Apple holds the price near $599. If buttery 120Hz motion, the best camera hardware, or the latest modem tech are must-haves, you’ll want to stick with the pricier models.
And if you like tracking accessories and the broader Apple wearable experience, the rumored MagSafe return would make the 17e friendlier with chargers and cases — and if you use an Apple Watch, it’s still worth checking compatible accessories like the Apple Watch available on Amazon.
Until Apple announces anything official, treat these details as a working sketch rather than a spec sheet. But the pattern is clear: a smarter-looking, more Apple‑like front with the economics dialed back where it matters most.