With just over a week until Apple’s “Special Experience” on March 4, we’re anticipating the announcement of the iPhone 17e during the event week. This will be the first update to the budget-friendly iPhone 16e that Apple introduced in February 2025.
Design
The upcoming iPhone 17e is expected to closely resemble the iPhone 16e, maintaining the same 6.1-inch display and single-lens rear camera options, available in black and white.
Display
The display panel on the iPhone 17e is likely to mirror that of the iPhone 16e¸ with a modest 60Hz refresh rate. While the standard iPhone 17 now features a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, this technology will not be present in the more budget-conscious iPhone 17e, which will remain the only new model without 120Hz support. Furthermore, it is not expected to offer always-on display functionality.
Dynamic Island
The iPhone 16e features a notch, which may be eliminated in the iPhone 17e. Some sources hint at the introduction of a Dynamic Island design instead, potentially giving it a more updated appearance. This Dynamic Island integrates better into the display as a pill-shaped cutout housing the TrueDepth camera system.
A19 Chip
The iPhone 17e is set to utilize Apple’s A19 chip, the same as the iPhone 17. Built on the upgraded N3P 3-nanometer process, it offers a 5 to 10 percent performance improvement over the A18 chip. It is anticipated that a downclocked version may be used in the iPhone 17e, potentially resulting in slightly lower performance. The device is also expected to retain the 8GB RAM configuration seen in the iPhone 16e.
MagSafe Compatibility
While the iPhone 16e lacks a magnetic ring for MagSafe charging, the iPhone 17e is expected to support this feature. This upgrade would enhance charging speeds significantly, moving from the 7.5W wireless charging of the iPhone 16e to at least 15W with MagSafe.
Pricing and Launch Date
The initial price for the iPhone 16e starts at $599, and no changes are anticipated for the upcoming iPhone 17e. The launch is expected to coincide with Apple’s “Special Experience” event on March 4.
