Apple iPhone 17e: What is known so far
We are likely only a few weeks away from Apple’s next iPhone presentation, where the company will unveil the next “E” model. The Apple iPhone 17e is the successor to the iPhone 16e, which was launched in February 2025, and rumors suggest it could offer some welcome improvements.
Apple iPhone 17e design
The Apple iPhone 17e is rumored to look very similar to the iPhone 16e and to have the same 6.1-inch display size, a single-lens rear camera, and the color options of black and white.
While the display itself doesn’t change significantly, the device could have a Dynamic Island instead of a notch, which would make a noticeable visual difference.
Display
The Apple iPhone 17e is expected to feature the same display as the iPhone 16e, which means the refresh rate will be limited to 60 Hz. Apple introduced 120Hz ProMotion technology in 2025 to the standard iPhone 17, but it is not expected to come to the cheaper iPhone 17e.
A refresh rate of 120 Hz ensures improved video quality and smoother scrolling when viewing websites.
The iPhone 16e doesn’t have an always-on display, and this isn’t expected to change with the Apple iPhone 17e. To support always-on, the iPhone 17e would need an OLED display with a minimum brightness of 1 nit, which is reserved for Apple’s more expensive iPhones. HDR and brightness are also lower compared to Apple’s flagship models.
Although the display itself remains unchanged, there are rumors that Apple might slightly reduce the bezel size to allow for a larger visible display area.
Dynamic Island
The iPhone 16e still features the notch that Apple removed from its newer flagship iPhones. However, the 17e might do without it. Rumors suggest that the Apple iPhone 17e will have a Dynamic Island instead of a notch and thereby acquire a more modern design.
The Dynamic Island is a pill-shaped cutout in the iPhone’s display that houses the TrueDepth camera system and the front-facing camera. It occupies less display area than the notch and is better integrated into the iPhone.
Apple uses software to adjust the size and shape of the Dynamic Island to display notifications, alerts, and live activity. The Dynamic Island can show everything from Apple Maps navigation instructions and active timers to incoming calls and Face ID activations. It also displays privacy notices for the microphone and camera, notifications for connected accessories, and alerts for the flashlight, screen recording, incoming AirDrop files, and more.
The Dynamic Island is significantly more interactive and useful than the notch, as tapping the Dynamic Island allows access to various app functions. However, there are also rumors that the Apple iPhone 17e will still have a notch.
A19 chip
The Apple iPhone 17e is expected to be equipped with Apple’s A19 chip, which was first used in the iPhone 17. The A19 chip is manufactured using Apple’s improved 3-nanometer N3P process and offers 5 to 10 percent higher performance than the A18 chip. The Apple iPhone 17e may, however, receive a downclocked version of the A19 chip.
The A18 chip that Apple used in the iPhone 16e had a 4-core GPU instead of a 5-core GPU like the version from the iPhone 16, so the Apple iPhone 17e could experience a similar GPU devaluation.
In addition to the improved CPU and GPU, the A19 features an updated display engine, image signal processor, and Neural Engine for enhanced AI performance. Each GPU core is equipped with a Neural Accelerator to improve the performance of local AI models.
We expect the Apple iPhone 17e to continue to have 8 GB of RAM, just like the iPhone 16e. Apple’s other models have 12 GB.
MagSafe compatibility
The iPhone 16e lacks a magnetic ring for MagSafe charging, while the Apple iPhone 17e may be MagSafe-compatible. Rumors suggest that the iPhone 17e will support magnetic wireless charging, which would represent a significant upgrade over the iPhone 16e.
Apple’s iPhones have used MagSafe since the iPhone 12, so there’s a wide selection of MagSafe cases and accessories. The iPhone 16e is not compatible with these accessories, which is a significant limitation.
Since it lacks MagSafe, the wireless charging speed of the iPhone 16e is limited to 7.5 watts. MagSafe would increase the charging power to at least 15 watts. iPhone 17 models can be charged via MagSafe at 25 watts. The iPhone Air, however, is limited to 20 watts.
Cameras
The iPhone 17e is expected to feature a single 48-megapixel wide-angle camera on the back, with no rumors of an upgrade circulating. The iPhone 16e lacks a camera control button, and it’s unclear whether Apple will include one on the iPhone 17e.
The iPhone 17 models received an improved 18-megapixel front camera, but rumors suggest that the iPhone 17e will continue to use the same 12-megapixel front camera as the iPhone 16e.
modem
The iPhone 17e will be equipped with Apple’s C1X modem, the modem chip that Apple first used in the iPhone Air. The C1X modem is faster and more efficient than the C1 modem that Apple used in the iPhone 16e.
Apple states that the C1X modem is up to 2x faster than the C1 and also significantly more energy-efficient than Qualcomm modems.
No N1 chip
While the iPhone 17 models are equipped with Apple’s new N1 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth network chip, leaked Apple code data suggests that the chip will not be included in the iPhone 17e in order to keep costs down.
Pricing
The iPhone 16e is available from €699/US$599, and no price changes are expected for the iPhone 17e.
Start date
Rumours suggest the iPhone 17e will be released in the first half of 2026, and Apple could stick to February as the release date. The iPhone 16e was announced via press release on February 19, 2025, so it’s unlikely we’ll have to wait for an event for the 17e.
Therefore, it could be released any time in February, although it’s also possible that Apple will hold it back until March or April. Apple plans to release iOS 26.4 with a new version of Siri at the end of March or beginning of April as well as several updated versions Smart home products.
