Even if the iPhone Air is not part of Apple’s annual upgrade plans, the iPhone 17e is, and there are some pretty major changes coming with the next model that will allow it to better compete with the rest of the lineup. The iPhone 17e is expected to gain two key upgrades that make it far more modern, more capable, and more aligned with the iPhone 17 Pro models without raising the price significantly.
Summary:
- The iPhone 17e will reuse the 6.1-inch OLED panels but feature slimmer bezels.
- The model will gain the Dynamic Island to match the iPhone 17 lineup.
- These changes will make the 17e more competitive against the standard and the ‘Pro’ iPhones.
A Familiar OLED Panel With A Much Cleaner And More Modern Look
The first major upgrade is the new design approach Apple is taking with the iPhone 17e. According to a new report from The Elec, the device will keep the same 6.1 inch OLED panel used in the iPhone 16e, which originally came from the iPhone 14. The interesting change is the move to slimmer bezels, which instantly gives the phone a fresher and more visually appealing look and feel. The design helps close the gap between affordable and Apple’s higher end offerings.
The slimmer bezel design is expected to make the iPhone 17e look far more modern compared to what prior models have been offering, including the iPhone SE lineup. The budget friendly model will be more visually consistent with the rest of the lineup, even in 2026 when Apple launches the iPhone 18 series.
Dynamic Island Comes To The iPhone 17e To Standardize The Front Layout
The second confirmed upgrade is the addition of the Dynamic Island, a feature that launched with the earlier Pro models and has slowly moved across the lineup. It was rumored that the iPhone 17 lineup will come with a smaller Dynamic Island, but unfortunately, that dud not happen.
According to The Elec, the iPhone 17e will finally adopt this updated layout, which helps unify the entire iPhone family under one consistent design. This change alone makes the phone look more modern and brings it closer to Apple’s premium identity.
The Dynamic Island also improves usability by providing quick access to ongoing activities, playback controls, and real time information. While the feature is familiar to most recent iPhone users, bringing it to the iPhone 17e creates a smoother experience for anyone upgrading from the iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 lineup. The notch would finally move out of Apple’s system, at least for the iPhone, as all MacBooks still embed it on top of the display.
Why These Upgrades Matter For Buyers In 2026
With these confirmed changes, the iPhone 17e becomes a more interesting choice for mid range buyers. More importantly, it also becomes a threat to sales of the standard and the Pro models of the iPhone. The device will be less compromised and more modern facing, which would give it an edge over the pricier Pro models.
Here are the key reasons the upgrades matter:
- A cleaner design thanks to slimmer bezels
- Adoption of the Dynamic Island for a unified interface
- Familiar OLED panel that keeps production efficient
- Strong visual consistency across the lineup
- Better value for users upgrading from older base models
The iPhone 17e is shaping up to be a smarter and more polished entry point into the iPhone ecosystem that does not compromise on performance or visual appeal. The entry level quality and features would be on par with the premium models, all coming at the same price as the iPhone 16e.
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