The iPhone 17e redesign could mark the end of an era for Apple. 

Published: Oct 27, 2025, 12:22 PM 

Apple may be gearing up for a surprisingly bold change in the design of its forthcoming budget smartphone. Just a year after launching the iPhone 16e, which was based on the iPhone 14 design, the company might adopt a more modern framework for the iPhone 17e. 

Dynamic Island for the iPhone 17e?

According to leaker Digital Chat Station, the upcoming iPhone 17e may include a Dynamic Island. This affordable model will likely continue to feature a 60Hz OLED display, similar to the base iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 versions.

There probably won’t be many surprises with the iPhone 17e. Expected to launch in the first half of 2026, it will likely be equipped with an A19 chipset, consistent with last year’s iPhone 16e, which debuted in February with an A18 processor. 

The end of the notch era for the iPhone

If the iPhone 17e is released with a Dynamic Island, it would signal the end of Apple’s notch design. Introduced with the iPhone X, the notch was one of the most significant and controversial design changes in iPhone history, later adopted by many of Apple’s competitors.

The notch was eventually replaced by the pill-shaped interactive area at the top of the screen on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. This Dynamic Island integrates all front-facing sensors, transforming what was seen as a flaw into a functional feature. After its introduction, it was extended to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, but the iPhone 17e would be the first budget model to include it. 

A natural evolution

Since the iPhone SE, Apple has been reusing older components in its entry-level devices. After three years, it’s only logical for the Dynamic Island to be incorporated into the iPhone 17e. While the notch may not be missed, aligning the most affordable iPhone with Apple’s latest designs is a smart strategy.