Highlights
- iPhone 17e will replace the wide notch with Apple’s Dynamic Island, feature a 6.1‑inch OLED panel, but stick to a 60Hz refresh rate
- It is expected to gain the flagship 18MP front camera for improved selfies and ship with the A19 chip.
- The model is likely to debut in Q1 2026 (Feb–Mar) as part of Apple’s affordable lineup.
Caption – iPhone 16e in the picture for reference. (Image credit – Apple)
Apple is gearing up to introduce another model in its iPhone 17 lineup. Fresh leaks suggest the iPhone 17e will arrive early next year with three notable upgrades. The company appears determined to avoid the lukewarm response its predecessor received. The new version is expected to closely resemble the standard iPhone 17, while still keeping certain limitations to maintain a lower price point. Here’s what we know so far.
Upcoming iPhone 17e – What To Expect?
One of the biggest rumoured changes is the shift from the wide notch seen on the iPhone 16e to Apple’s popular Dynamic Island. This interactive cutout delivers real-time updates for deliveries, ride bookings, music playback, and more. Considering the underwhelming sales of the iPhone 16e, such upgrades could be crucial for the series’ revival.
Caption – A look at the iPhone 16e display in the picture for reference. (Image credit – Apple)
A new leak from Weibo hints at a significant display upgrade and making the Dynamic Island essentially unavoidable as all current iPhone models now feature it. The design has become a core part of Apple’s identity, even inspiring similar approaches on several Android devices.
However, Apple is still expected to differentiate the 17e from its premium siblings. The model is reportedly sticking to a 60Hz refresh rate instead of adopting the smoother 120Hz ProMotion display. It will likely retain a 6.1-inch OLED panel.
The front camera could see a meaningful improvement. Analyst Jeff Pu previously claimed that the iPhone 17e will adopt the same 18MP selfie camera found on the flagship iPhone 17 models. This new squarish sensor is designed to capture both portrait and landscape selfies without requiring you to twist the phone. The rear is still expected to feature a single camera, though an upgrade matching the iPhone 17 series is possible.
The iPhone 17e may ship with Apple’s A19 chipset, the same silicon powering the main iPhone 17. While the CPU gains are modest over the A18, the GPU improvements especially for AI tasks and gaming are where the A19 stands out. The 17e would offer this next-gen chip at a more affordable price point.
iPhone 17e – Launch Timeline
Early reports suggest the iPhone 17e will debut in Q1 2026, likely around February or March. If true, this would mark an early-year refresh for Apple’s budget-friendly lineup.
Alongside the iPhone 17 Series smartphone, Apple may also unveil its long-rumoured budget MacBook. Expectations are high with early hints suggesting it could make a significant impact in price-sensitive markets such as India.
FAQs
Q1. What major design change is expected in the iPhone 17e?
Answer. The iPhone 17e will replace the wide notch from the iPhone 16e with Apple’s Dynamic Island, offering real‑time updates for apps like deliveries, ride bookings, and music playback.
Q2. How will the iPhone 17e’s camera and chipset improve?
Answer. It is rumoured to feature the same 18MP front camera as the flagship iPhone 17 models, designed for both portrait and landscape selfies. It will also ship with Apple’s A19 chip, delivering stronger GPU performance for AI tasks and gaming.
Q3. When is the iPhone 17e expected to launch?
Answer. Early reports suggest the iPhone 17e will debut in Q1 2026 (February–March), alongside Apple’s long‑rumoured budget MacBook aimed at price‑sensitive markets like India.