Apple's iPhone 17e Rumored to Feature Dynamic Island Design
A well-known leaker on the Chinese social media platform Weibo has tipped that Apple's next affordable iPhone, the iPhone 17e, will likely come with a Dynamic Island instead of the traditional notch. This information was first spotted by MacRumors and suggests a significant visual upgrade for Apple's budget-friendly model.
What is Dynamic Island?
The Dynamic Island integrates the front camera and various sensors into an interactive area at the top of the screen. It displays live activities such as navigation directions, music playback controls, and call status updates. This feature would bring the iPhone 17e more in line with Apple's recent mainstream iPhone models.
Display to Stay at 60Hz Refresh Rate
Despite the design refresh, the iPhone 17e is not expected to receive Apple's ProMotion technology. Reports indicate the device will retain a 6.1-inch OLED display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. This differs from the rest of the iPhone 17 range, which introduced refresh rates of up to 120Hz last year.
Higher refresh rates allow for smoother scrolling and more fluid animations on the screen. Apple appears to be keeping the standard panel on the iPhone 17e to maintain a lower price point for this budget model.
Design Shift from iPhone 14 to iPhone 15 Style
The current iPhone 16e uses a design based on the iPhone 14, complete with a notch. If the latest claims prove accurate, the iPhone 17e may instead follow the look of the iPhone 15. The iPhone 15 was Apple's first non-Pro model to adopt the Dynamic Island and a more rounded chassis design.
A19 Chip Expected Inside
The same leaker has reiterated that Apple plans to upgrade the processor in the iPhone 17e. The device is expected to feature the new A19 chip, which would replace the A18 found in the iPhone 16e.
Built on TSMC's third-generation 3nm process, the A19 is said to offer around five to ten percent gains in raw CPU performance. However, another source suggests Apple may use a downclocked version of the chip. This could put its overall performance closer to the A17 Pro, aside from improvements to the Neural Engine.
MagSafe and Connectivity Rumors
Other reports indicate Apple could finally add a magnetic ring to support MagSafe charging on the iPhone 17e. This feature was missing from the iPhone 16e. To reduce costs, the phone may rely on an older C1 or C1X modem and omit Apple's newer N1 wireless chip, based on references found in leaked code.
Cameras, Price, and Possible Launch Window
The rest of the specifications are expected to remain familiar. The iPhone 17e is likely to keep a 12-megapixel front camera with Face ID and a single 48-megapixel rear camera. Pricing details and a possible launch window have not been confirmed yet, but the device is anticipated to maintain Apple's strategy of offering a more affordable option in its lineup.
