-Apple’s Next iPhone 17e: Rumors and Predictions
- We're likely just weeks away from Apple's next iPhone launch, wiht the company set to introduce the iPhone 17e.
- The iPhone 17e is supposedly going to look a lot like the iPhone 16e, featuring the same 6.1-inch display size, single-lens rear camera, and black and white color...
- While the display isn't changing much, the device could have a Dynamic Island rather of a notch, which woudl be a marked visual difference.
We’re likely just weeks away from Apple’s next iPhone launch, wiht the company set to introduce the iPhone 17e. The iPhone 17e is a follow-up to the iPhone 16e that came out in February 2025, and rumors suggest that it could have some welcome improvements.
Design
Table of Contents
The iPhone 17e is supposedly going to look a lot like the iPhone 16e, featuring the same 6.1-inch display size, single-lens rear camera, and black and white color options.
While the display isn’t changing much, the device could have a Dynamic Island rather of a notch, which woudl be a marked visual difference.
Display
The iPhone 17e is expected to feature the same display panel as the iPhone 16e, which means it will be limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. Apple brought 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates to the standard iPhone 17 in 2025, but the same technology is not expected for the more affordable iPhone 17e.
120Hz refresh rates provide video improvements and smoother scrolling when viewing webpages.
The iPhone 16e does not have always-on display technology, and that’s not likely to change with the iPhone 17e. To support always-on, the iPhone 17e would need an OLED display with 1-nit minimum brightness, which is limited to Apple’s more expensive iPhones. HDR and brightness are also lacking compared to Apple’s flagship lineup.
Though the display isn’t changing, there have been rumors suggesting Apple could shrink the bezel size somewhat, allowing for more visible display area.
Dynamic Island
The iPhone 16e continues to feature the notch that Apple has eliminated in its newer flagship iPhones, but the iPhone 17e might do away with it. Rumors suggest that the iPhone 17e will have a Dynamic Island instead of a notch, giving it a more modern look.
iPhone 17 Pro Expected to Feature A18 Pro Chip with Enhanced GPU
Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro, anticipated for release in Fall 2026, is expected to include the A18 Pro chip, featuring a substantially upgraded GPU with 12 cores, a considerable increase from the 5-core GPU anticipated in the iPhone 16. this advancement aims to deliver improved graphics performance for demanding applications and games.
A18 pro Chip Details
The A18 Pro chip will power the iPhone 17 Pro and pro Max models,differentiating them from the standard iPhone 17. The core count increase in the GPU is a key upgrade, suggesting Apple is prioritizing graphical capabilities in its premium devices.
According to macrumors, the A18 Pro will utilize a 12-core GPU, compared to the 5-core GPU expected in the A18 chip powering the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Plus.
Impact on Gaming and Applications
A 12-core GPU will allow for more complex and visually rich gaming experiences on the iPhone 17 Pro. It will also benefit applications that rely heavily on graphics processing, such as video editing software and augmented reality apps.
For example, developers could create games with higher frame rates, more detailed textures, and more advanced visual effects. Professionals using video editing apps will experience faster rendering times and smoother playback of high-resolution footage.
iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 16 GPU Comparison
The difference in GPU core count between the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 16 represents a significant generational leap in graphics performance. The iPhone 16 is expected to feature an A18 chip with a 5-core GPU,while the iPhone 17 pro will boast a 12-core GPU – more than double the processing power.
This distinction is consistent with Apple’s strategy of reserving its most advanced features for its Pro models. 9to5Mac reports that this GPU upgrade is a key differentiator for the Pro line.