iPhone 17e to Feature New Design with Dynamic Island: Report

Apple’s upcoming entry-level iPhone 17e could finally adopt the Dynamic Island design feature, according to a new leak from Digital Chat Station on Weibo (via MacRumors).

The claim surfaced in the comments of the leaker’s earlier post about the iPhone 18 Pro’s expected DSLR-style variable aperture camera, offering a glimpse into Apple’s future plans for its more affordable iPhone lineup.

The Dynamic Island — first introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max — replaced the traditional notch with a pill-shaped cutout that integrates system alerts, background activities, and the front-facing camera into one interactive area. It later made its way to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, but Apple’s entry-level iPhones, such as the iPhone SE and iPhone 16e, have yet to receive it. That may finally change with the iPhone 17e.

According to the leaker, despite adopting the Dynamic Island, the iPhone 17e will retain a 60Hz OLED display — likely the same 6.1-inch panel used in the base iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. This suggests Apple will continue its trend of reusing proven hardware from older models to keep costs down for newer, more affordable offerings while giving them a more modern look and feel.

This latest leak lines up with a previous report from Digital Chat Station that hinted at a design overhaul for the iPhone 17e, alongside upgrades to its processor and camera system. The device is expected to feature Apple’s A19 chip, bringing notable performance improvements even if the display remains limited to 60Hz.

Recent reports indicate Apple plans to unveil the iPhone 17e in early 2026 — likely around a year after the iPhone 16e’s February launch — before introducing the flagship iPhone 18 Pro models in September 2026. The leaker also suggested that the iPhone 18 Pro lineup will bring DSLR-style variable aperture cameras, highlighting the widening technology gap between Apple’s Pro and non-Pro devices.

If accurate, the addition of the Dynamic Island would make the iPhone 17e Apple’s most visually modern “budget” model yet, bridging the design divide between its entry-level and flagship iPhones.