Apple is expected to release its next iPhone, an affordable model called the iPhone 17e, in the coming weeks. But a new report claims that it won’t be upgrading the display on the phone to the 120Hz ProMotion technology found on the other phones in the iPhone 17 series — though an upgrade is coming.
Apple iPhone 16e: the iPhone 17e is almost here.
VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesiPhone 17e Display Details: Why ProMotion Isn’t Coming
The iPhone 17e will have a 60Hz display, the report on Weibo from leaker Digital Chat Station says. Until last year, every regular iPhone has had a 60Hz screen, but because the iPhone 17 moved up to ProMotion last September, many had hoped the lower-priced iPhone 17e would follow suit.
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The display news isn’t all bad, however, as the same report claims that instead of the cut-out at the top of the display, found on the current low-priced model, the iPhone 16e, the new phone will switch to the Dynamic Island which is on all other current iPhones.
iPhone 17e Features: Processor, Design And Camera
“The iPhone 17e will debut in the first half of the year. As previously mentioned, the core upgrade is the screen: a 6.1-inch 60Hz LTPS OLED display. Although it only has a 60Hz refresh rate, it features a dynamic island design, an upgraded A19 processor, Face ID facial recognition, and the added advantage of being the cheapest iPhone available,” the report claimed — I’ve used a machine translation here.
It went on to say that sales were expected to be strong and that the rear camera would, as now being a single lens.
Apple needs to ensure that there’s enough difference between its products to encourage users to spend more: if the iPhone 17e was almost as good as the iPhone 17, there would be little incentive to buy the pricier phone.
Still, the main upgrades if this report is accurate will be the Dynamic Island and the uprated processor, both of which could be worth having. These predictions fit with Apple’s regular behavior in bringing the latest processor to even its more affordable models.
iPhone 17e Release Date: When Apple’s Affordable iPhone Could Launch
Although the report only says the first half of the year, I’m expecting the phone to be unveiled in late February and go on sale in early March 2026.
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