iPhone 17e to Feature Thinner Bezels and BOE Display [Report]

BOE has taken the lead in Apple's supply chain for the upcoming iPhone 17e, securing the largest share of OLED panel orders for the entry-level model, according to a new report from TheElec. The Chinese display maker held the same position for the iPhone 16e earlier this year.

BOE won't be the only supplier, though. Samsung Display and LG Display are still expected to provide panels, and the three companies together will support an early-2026 launch window. Apple is said to be planning roughly 8 million iPhone 17e shipments in the first half of the year — noticeably lower than the 20 million units often targeted in the first year of older SE launches, but consistent with Apple's newer "e" strategy of reusing mature components while pairing them with a modern chip.


The iPhone 17e is expected to stick with LTPS OLED rather than the more advanced LTPO panels used in Apple's flagship models. According to the report, the display specs will largely mirror those of the iPhone 16e, though with slimmer bezels thanks to extra headroom in the original panel design. The shift doesn't require BOE to redesign the underlying circuit layout.

For BOE, the allocation is a small recovery. The company reportedly shipped only limited volume for the standard iPhone 17 lineup this fall, where all four models used LTPO OLED — a panel type BOE has yet to mass-produce reliably for Apple. By sticking with LTPS for both the iPhone 16e and 17e, BOE can maintain some footing in Apple's OLED program for another cycle.

Apple's entry tier has also shifted over time. The older LCD-based iPhone SE line has effectively given way to the OLED-equipped "e" models, starting with the iPhone 16e this year. Reports suggest the iPhone 17e may see upgrades beyond the display as well, potentially adopting the A19 chip and moving to the Dynamic Island.

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