iPhone 17e tipped to get weaker A19 chip, better display design

The upcoming iPhone 17e, expected to launch in the spring, will likely be the cheapest model in the iPhone 17 lineup, according to new reports from China. Rumors suggest it will keep a 6.1‑inch display with a 60Hz refresh rate, but switch from the older notch to Apple’s Dynamic Island cutout, matching the visual style of recent higher-end models.

Inside, the phone is said to use a downgraded version of Apple’s A19 chip, the same generation processor expected in the standard iPhone 17 but tuned down for the entry model. None of this is confirmed by Apple, but multiple leaks now point to the same mix: a more modern screen layout paired with deliberately lower-end internals to hold the price down.