iPhone 17 Leak: Slimmer Bezels Retain Notch – What We Know!

Anticipated Release of iPhone 17e in Spring 2026

Nearly a year following the debut of the iPhone 16e, Apple is set to introduce the iPhone 17e by spring 2026. The Elec reports that Chinese manufacturer BOE will be the primary supplier of OLED panels for this upcoming entry-level model, surpassing both Samsung Display and LG Display. The panel used will be very similar to that of the iPhone 16e but will feature slimmer bezels: “Even with thinner bezels covering the integrated circuits, the screen design, which is quite flexible, didn’t require any alterations.”

Design Continuity with Potential Disappointments

If Apple is to utilize the same panel again, it implies that the iPhone 17e will retain the notch for its front sensors. The Elec, having previously mentioned the same panel in July, reaffirms this information, dispelling any rumors about the adoption of the Dynamic Island feature seen in higher models. Additionally, the standard maximum brightness will remain at 800 nits, in contrast to the 1000 nits offered by the iPhone 17, which will also maintain the advantage of an always-on display and ProMotion technology for a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz.

Modest Design Changes with a Shift in Hardware

With the reduction in bezel thickness while maintaining the same panel, the iPhone 17e’s chassis is expected to be slightly more compact than that of the iPhone 16e. This suggests a somewhat more ambitious update than just a simple chip replacement. Apple is likely to transition from the A18 to the A19 chip, according to Mark Gurman, though other specific upgrades remain undisclosed. One major criticism of the iPhone 16e has been the lack of MagSafe magnets… the anticipation continues.