iPhone 17e: Apple's next affordable iPhone tipped to launch with Apple A19 chipset and fresh design

Apple has not got the iPhone 17 series out the door yet. Nonetheless, rumours have already started emerging about the company reportedly preparing the iPhone 17e as the successor to this year's iPhone 16e (curr. $470 - refurbished on Amazon). Launched in February as the replacement for the long-running SE series, the iPhone 16e cut a frustrating figure in our review because of extensive drawbacks.

According to Digital Chat Station, Apple only plans to address some of these with the iPhone 17e, which they expect to arrive in spring 2026. Apparently, the iPhone 17e will launch with a 6.1-inch OLED display that retains the maligned 60 Hz refresh rate of the iPhone 16e. With that being said, Digital Chat Station believes that Apple will move on from its distinctive notch for the iPhone 17e's release to the Dynamic Island found across its recent flagship iPhones.

Moreover, Digital Chat Station implies that the 12 MP front-facing and 48 MP rear-facing cameras of this year's model will reappear unchanged inside the iPhone 17e. However, these will presumably be aided by an improved image signal processor (ISP) courtesy of the Apple A19 chipset. Conversely, the same leaker hints that Apple plans to overhaul the design of its entry-level iPhone after a single generation. Unfortunately, it remains to be seen what Apple's plans are in this regard for the time being.