Apple to Drop the Notch With Dynamic Island on Entry-Level iPhone 17e [Report]

Apple is reportedly preparing to launch an updated entry-level iPhone in the first half of 2026, bringing several modern features to the budget lineup while holding onto one familiar limitation. A new supply-chain leak says the device will finally gain the Dynamic Island and Face ID, but will continue to use a standard 60Hz display.



The details come from leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo, who outlined the key upgrades for the device, tentatively referred to as the iPhone 17e. According to the post, the handset will feature a 6.1-inch LTPS OLED display. While the shift to OLED is a notable upgrade over the panels used in earlier entry-level models, the refresh rate is said to remain capped at 60Hz, setting it apart from the ProMotion displays found on Apple's higher-end iPhones. Even so, the move to the Dynamic Island and Face ID would eliminate the notch from Apple's entry-level lineup.


The iPhone 17e is also expected to see a sizable performance bump. The leak claims the device will be powered by the A19 processor, the same chip used across the iPhone 17 lineup. That should allow the entry-level model to support Apple's latest software features while offering longevity closer to the flagship devices.

The proposed launch window lines up with recent supply-chain reporting. BOE has reportedly taken the lead as the primary OLED supplier for the model, with panel shipments pointing to an early 2026 release. Earlier leaks have also suggested the device could feature slimmer bezels than its predecessors.

Digital Chat Station suggests the combination of a modern iPhone design and Apple's lowest price point could drive strong demand. The post estimates that sales of the iPhone 17e may far exceed those of the previous generation, largely due to the appeal of getting a current-looking iPhone at the most accessible price in Apple's lineup.

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