Gadgets

iPhone 17e Gains Dynamic Island — Still 60Hz Display

Krishn patel

Krishn patel

— 2 min read
iPhone 17e Adds Dynamic Island, Keeps 60Hz
Dynamic Island, 60Hz
  • Key Takeaways:
  • Apple’s iPhone 17e will add the Dynamic Island but keep a 6.1-inch OLED display capped at 60Hz.
  • The device is expected to use an A19 chip (likely downclocked in some builds) based on TSMC N3P.
  • Other upgrades may include a MagSafe-compatible magnetic ring, retained 12MP front and 48MP rear cameras, and optional older modems to cut costs.

What’s changing with the iPhone 17e

Apple’s lower-cost iPhone variant appears set for a modest refresh that swaps the long-standing notch for the Dynamic Island. The change brings the interactive cutout used across newer iPhone models to the 17e, consolidating the front camera and Face ID sensors into a more dynamic status area.

Display and Dynamic Island

The iPhone 17e will reportedly keep a 6.1-inch OLED display limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, according to a known leaker on Weibo. That keeps the 17e below the main iPhone 17 lineup, which introduced ProMotion 120Hz refresh rates for smoother scrolling and animation.

For buyers, the Dynamic Island will offer the same interactive notifications and live activity previews found on higher-end iPhones, but without the fluidity gains from a 120Hz panel.

Performance: A19 chip and expected tuning

Leakers say Apple will move the 17e to an A19 system-on-chip, built on TSMC’s third-generation 3nm N3P process. The A19 is expected to deliver modest CPU gains—roughly 5–10% in raw performance over the A18—while improving the Neural Engine.

Another rumor indicates Apple may use a downclocked A19 in some 17e units. If true, real-world performance could sit close to Apple’s A17 Pro in key workloads, particularly those benefiting from the Neural Engine.

Other hardware changes and trade-offs

To preserve a lower price point, Apple is reportedly considering cost-saving measures: older C1 or C1X cellular modems instead of the latest N1, and possibly pared-back component specs elsewhere.

The 17e should retain Face ID and a 12-megapixel front camera, alongside a 48-megapixel rear camera. A new magnetic ring for MagSafe compatibility is also expected, addressing a limitation present on the current 16e model.

Pricing and launch window

Early reports suggest Apple will hold the 17e’s starting price steady at around $599. The handset could arrive as soon as February or later in the spring, mirroring the staggered timing Apple used for prior lower-cost releases.

Overall, the iPhone 17e looks like a targeted update: a visible user-experience improvement with the Dynamic Island, paired with measured component upgrades and deliberate cost trade-offs to protect its price tier.

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