Apple Sticks to Older Screen for New iPhone 17e
Apple to launch iPhone 17e in early 2026 with iPhone 14 display, A19 chip, camera upgrades, and possible C2 modem. Budget model to keep the notch design.
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Apple is reportedly preparing to launch the iPhone 17e early next year, sustaining its trend of releasing budget-friendly models following the introduction of the iPhone 16e. Industry observers had forecasted Apple would continue this annual cycle, and new developments suggest the plan remains on track.
According to South Korean publication The Elec, Apple intends to equip the upcoming iPhone 17e with the same display panel used in the iPhone 16e, effectively recycling the iPhone 14’s screen technology. This decision signals Apple’s continued use of existing hardware to maintain lower production costs for its entry-tier smartphones.
Consequently, the traditional notch design will persist in the iPhone 17e, despite broader expectations that Apple would move towards a sleeker Dynamic Island interface across its product line. While speculation has pointed to Apple reducing the size of Dynamic Island in future models, the company appears to prioritize cost efficiency in its budget offerings.
Still, improvements are expected. The iPhone 17e is likely to feature upgraded camera hardware, as part of an overall enhancement to the iPhone 17 series. The device may also run on the A19 chip, a new generation processor, albeit with a scaled-back GPU configuration to distinguish it from premium models.
There is also industry buzz about Apple developing a new C2 modem designed to boost 5G capabilities, including support for mmWave technology. However, it remains uncertain whether this component will debut with the iPhone 17e or be reserved for future releases such as the iPhone 18 series.
Long-term product roadmap leaks indicate that Apple could restructure its iPhone release cycle starting in late 2026. Reports suggest the company will roll out the iPhone 18 Air, iPhone 18 Pro, and its first foldable iPhone toward the end of that year. Standard and budget models, including the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, would then arrive in early 2027.
The adjusted timeline signals Apple’s intent to focus on flagship innovations during the holiday season, followed by cost-conscious variants in the first quarter of the subsequent year.
