iPhone 17e launching early next year: Here's what to expect
What's the story
Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch its next-generation iPhone 17e model in early 2026. The news comes from industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. They both have hinted at Apple's shift toward an annual update strategy for its entry-level iPhones, starting with the upcoming iPhone 17e. An earlier rumor had suggested that the device was already in trial production, but it didn't match the May release date of its predecessor, the iPhone 16e.
Display details
Same OLED panel as iPhone 16e
The Elec has reported that Apple plans to use the same OLED panel for the second-generation iPhone 17e as was used in its predecessor, the iPhone 16e. The move is part of Apple's strategy to use lower-cost components based on established production lines. The iPhone 16e features an OLED Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 1170x2532 pixels and a contrast ratio of up to 2,000,000:1 for HDR photos, videos, TV shows, and movies.
Processor specs
A19 chip to power iPhone 17e
The upcoming iPhone 17e will be powered by the same A19 chip as the iPhone 17, according to Gurman. The A19 is built on an improved three-nanometer process and features a six-core CPU with two performance cores and four efficiency cores. It also has a five-core GPU, which improves performance and efficiency over its predecessor, the A18.
Design changes
Dynamic Island and 'new design' for iPhone 17e
The iPhone 17e is said to come with a Dynamic Island and a "new design," according to leaker Digital Chat Station. This would be a departure from the notch at the top of the display seen on its predecessor, the iPhone 16e. However, it remains unclear if Apple will stick with this new design or revert to an older one for its next budget-friendly model.