Apple’s next budget-friendly iPhone, the iPhone 17e, is shaping up to be a quiet but meaningful upgrade. According to a new report from The Elec, the device will keep the same iPhone 14–based OLED panel used in the 16e, but Apple is expected to shrink the bezels to give it a fresher, more modern look.
Here’s what the latest supply chain chatter tells us.
Slimmer bezels without a new display panel
BOE is once again expected to handle most of the display production, with Samsung Display and LG Display picking up the rest. Even though Apple is sticking with the same OLED tech, bezel size is determined by the frame and chassis fit. That means Apple can tighten up the borders and give the 17e a cleaner design without touching the underlying panel.
A low-cost model with a noticeably sharper front look is exactly the kind of move Apple makes to refresh a device without raising production costs.
Related: Apple Is Reportedly Planning New Low Cost Apple Devices for Early 2026
Dynamic Island still unlikely for the 17e
Some earlier leaks suggested the iPhone 17e might finally jump to the Dynamic Island. Today’s report says… probably not.
And honestly, that lines up with reality. Adding Dynamic Island requires a new TrueDepth camera layout, different sensor modules, and a reworked display cutout. It’s not something you bolt onto an older notch panel. It also goes against the 17e’s core mission: reuse proven components to keep the price down.
So while rumors will keep popping up, the safer bet is slimmer bezels with the same notch.
Expect the same core display specs
The report also backs what we’ve been hearing for months:
- 6.1-inch OLED display
- 60Hz LTPS panel (not LTPO)
- No high refresh rate
- Mass-produced components from previous-gen iPhones
BOE still can’t reliably produce LTPO panels at iPhone scale, so 120Hz ProMotion isn’t on the table for this model.
What about performance?
Leaker Digital Chat Station previously claimed the 17e will get an A19 chip. That feels optimistic. The 16e runs the A18, so an A18 or slightly tweaked version is more realistic if Apple stays committed to the “reuse parts, lower costs” formula.
Release timeline
Reliable names like Ming-Chi Kuo, Mark Gurman, and The Elec all agree:
The iPhone 17e is on track for an early 2026 launch.
Slimmer bezels, familiar hardware, and Apple’s usual cost-efficiency strategy should make this the more polished update the “e” line needs in year two.
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