Apple Set to Expand iPhone 17 Lineup With New 17e Model

It seems Apple may be preparing to introduce another iPhone 17 version that could be named the iPhone 17e, according to speculations. Even though the upcoming phone might be a budget model, it may deliver a more modern look, with refined exhibit bezels and a smoother design.

However, The Elec suggests that the new iPhone 17e may use the OLED panels of the iPhone 14 era and refurbish them with a reworked bezel. The biggest visual upgrade remains the slimming of the bezel rather than any improved display technology.

The report mentions BOE as the most likely supplier for these OLED panels, while alongside-BOE on a half-half basis might be Samsung Display and LG Display; however, it disclaims an earlier assertion that the iPhone 17e will feature Apple's Dynamic Island design.

They say slimming the bezel seems a better and more realistic coup for Apple, as it would entail revamping frame and chassis dimensions only, leaving the screen tech untouched.

Today's actual positioning of the iPhone 17e

By contrast, the iPhone 16e operates on Apple's A18 chip and yet retains notch; just like the iPhone 13 and 14. On Dynamic Island alone, the Pro versions of the iPhone 14 series propagated the idea.

iPhone 17e Rumours: What We Know So Far

Possible Upgrades

The A Chinese leaker, Digital Chat Station, at an earlier date claimed that the iPhone 17e might be getting:

Dynamic Island

Apple's new chip, the A19

It looks less likely that Dynamic Island will appear, but an improvement on the A19 chip seems very likely and will prove worthy. With better broadcast capabilities, the A19 was going to offer enhanced AI performance, improved gameplay, and long-term support for software issues. In all probability, Apple wants to use this chip for use in the main 17 iPhones; hence, the 17e could be a good performance prize for a very desirable price.

Improving designs while keeping costs minimized

If Apple keeps on using the OLED panel for the iPhone 14, it might use a few design tricks to contemporize the looks for the 17e model. Apple can lean on updating the following components: a new frame-coloring option or two, possibly-optimizing microphone and speaker placements as to make hidden from plain sight, reducing the (structural) size of the display border, and the ghost cut-the vis-a-vis the pill-shaped notch. These rules accord with Apple`s objective to refresh the design without incurring a higher cost for production, tapering toward its money-of-value sales philosophy profferied through its economical e" models.

Why Dynamic Island May Not Happen

Dynamic Island elements would include:

• A redesigned TrueDepth camera system
• New position for sensors
• Design with a pill-shaped cutout

New production tools

These changes would cancel the cost-saving measures taken by Apple The advantage of this design concept is the minimal-cost proposition that Apple can put together, keeping the manufacturing cycle easy and preserving the clear distinction between the low-cost iPhone 17e and higher-cost iPhone 17 counterparts.

Display configurations of the iPhone 17e close enough to rumors

The iPhone 17e could offer the following features:

• A 6.1-inch OLED display
• A 60Hz refresh rate

And an LTPS panel with traditional TFT backplane technologies (as opposed to higher-power-consuming LTPO).

BOE is not entirely there yet in designing LTPO displays that will be suitable for Apple's ProMotion advantage, and so the iPhone 17e is expected to be stuck around 60 Hz.

Big Camera Upgrade

Imagine the new 18-MP selfie camera getting Center Stage, Apple's intelligent framing technology for group selfies and video calls for all iPhone 17 models. According to analyst Jeff Pu, this feature could also hit the iPhone 17e, providing a substantial upgrade to the front camera from the 16e.

Expected Debut Time for the Range

Multiple sources, among which are Ming-Chi Kuo, Mark Gurman, and The Elec, state that iPhone 17e could launch only by early 2026.

If any remaining rumour holds true, the iPhone 17e could turn out to be one of the most popular "budget" iPhones in years: the latest chip, modernized design, front-facing camera upgrade, and strong performance could all be awarded to a more reasonable price.