Apple's iPhone 17e will replace its notch with Dynamic Island while keeping a 60Hz display, according to leaks from Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station. The budget iPhone could launch as soon as February 2026.
The device reportedly features a 6.1-inch LTPS OLED screen at 60Hz refresh rate, matching the iPhone 16e's display specifications. Apple maintains the lower refresh rate to control costs while upgrading to Dynamic Island for modern design consistency across its lineup.
Power comes from Apple's A19 processor, built on TSMC's N3P 3nm process. The chip delivers 5-10% faster CPU performance than the A18 in the iPhone 16e. Some sources suggest Apple may downclock the A19 for the 17e, making it roughly comparable to the A17 Pro chip.
Apple's entry-level iPhone moves from iPhone 14-based design to iPhone 15 architecture. This shift enables Dynamic Island integration and potentially slimmer bezels. The iPhone 16e retained the notch design from 2022's iPhone 14.
Rumors suggest the 17e may gain MagSafe compatibility, addressing a key omission in the previous model, though Digital Chat Station's leak didn't confirm this feature. Wireless charging support would align the budget device with Apple's accessory ecosystem. Camera specifications reportedly remain unchanged: 12MP front camera and 48MP rear sensor.
Connectivity uses older C1 or C1X 5G modem chips without Apple's new N1 wireless technology. This cost-saving measure follows Apple's pattern of limiting premium features in entry-level models. Face ID facial recognition remains standard.
Launch timing points to early 2026, potentially February following the iPhone 16e's February 2025 release pattern. Multiple sources indicate mass production began after CES 2026 concluded earlier this month.
Pricing should hold at $599, matching the iPhone 16e's starting point. Some rumors suggest Apple could increase base storage to 256GB while maintaining the entry price. The company balances modern design elements against display limitations to protect its budget market position.
Digital Chat Station predicts stronger sales than the iPhone 16e, which ranked sixth among the top 10 best-selling smartphones in March 2025. The combination of current iPhone aesthetics with Apple's lowest price point could drive significant demand.
The iPhone 17e represents Apple's strategic approach to budget devices: modern exterior design with controlled internal costs. Dynamic Island brings visual parity while 60Hz refresh rate maintains price segmentation from Pro models. Interestingly, Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models may replace the Dynamic Island with under-display Face ID, showing how the feature is evolving across different iPhone tiers.
