The notch is officially on its deathbed. As of today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, new leaks from the supply chain suggest Apple is ready to kill off its oldest design relic with the upcoming iPhone 17e.
The thing is, we’re looking at a February launch. Or nothing. Let’s be real, Apple usually drops these “affordable” models right before the spring fever hits. Those too. The biggest headline? The Dynamic Island is finally moving down to the entry-level tier.1 If you’ve been holding onto an old SE because you hate the pill-shaped cutout, you might be out of luck—this likely marks the end of the traditional notch forever.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
The “17e” Intel: Field Notes
It’s an ongoing situation where Apple is trying to make its “cheap” phone look premium without giving away the farm.
-
The Display “Trap”: You get the Dynamic Island, but the thing is, you’re still stuck with a 60Hz refresh rate.2 While the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup has finally moved to 120Hz ProMotion across the board, the 17e is staying in the slow lane to keep the price down.3
-
The Performance Leap: Under the hood, it’s reportedly packing the A19 chip.4 The thing is, this is a 3nm beast that’s about 10% faster than the A18.5 It’s basically a flagship engine in a budget chassis. And here’s the kicker—it might finally get 8GB of RAM to handle the new Apple Intelligence features.
-
The Camera Swap: We’re hearing about an 18MP selfie camera with “Center Stage” support. The thing is, the back is still likely a single-lens 48MP setup. Those too.
-
The Price Tag: Rumors are pointing at a $599 global start.6 In India, expect it to land around ₹64,990.7 The thing is, that’s a slight bump from last year, but you’re getting MagSafe support this time—something the 16e weirdly skipped.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 16e: The Quick Look
| Feature | iPhone 16e (2025) | iPhone 17e (2026) |
| Top Cutout | Traditional Notch | Dynamic Island |
| Processor | A18 Bionic | A19 (3nm) |
| Display | 6.0″ OLED (60Hz) | 6.1″ OLED (60Hz) |
| Selfie Cam | 12MP | 18MP (Center Stage) |
| Charging | Qi Wireless | MagSafe + USB-C |
And Here’s the Kicker…
The 17e is basically an iPhone 15 in disguise but with a way more powerful brain. The thing is, if you don’t care about the 120Hz “smoothness,” this might be the smartest buy of the year. Those too.
It’s an ongoing situation where the “Spring Event” invites usually go out in the first week of February. The thing is, with mass production reportedly starting this week, we might see these on shelves by February 20th.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
End…
