Fresh rumors about Apple’s next budget devices are reshaping expectations—especially if you were hoping the iPhone 17e would finally make the jump to Dynamic Island.
A new report from MacOtakara claims Apple is sticking with its current design approach for both the iPhone 17e and the entry-level iPad. That means the iPhone 17e may keep the familiar notch rather than adopting Dynamic Island, despite months of chatter suggesting a more modern front design was on the way.
Even if the look doesn’t change, the iPhone 17e is still tipped to get meaningful internal upgrades. The report says Apple plans to power the iPhone 17e with the A19 chip, the same new Apple silicon expected to appear in the standard iPhone 17. In addition, the budget iPhone is rumored to include the TrueDepth Face ID system, along with Apple’s C1X modem and an N1 wireless chip—components that could improve connectivity and overall efficiency even if the exterior remains largely unchanged.
That contrasts with earlier rumors that painted a different picture. Prior speculation suggested Apple was preparing a 6.1-inch LTPS OLED display for the iPhone 17e with a 60Hz refresh rate, and that Dynamic Island would be part of the package. Those same rumors also mentioned features like magnetic wireless charging, a 12MP front-facing camera, Face ID, and a 48MP rear camera—while also claiming the N1 wireless chip might not be included.
The report also touches on Apple’s base iPad, and the message is similar: don’t expect a redesign. Instead, Apple may focus on performance improvements, reportedly targeting an A18 chip and increasing memory to 8GB of RAM. For buyers who prioritize speed, app performance, and multitasking over a new look, that could still be a worthwhile update.
As for when all of this could become official, a separate recent report has suggested Apple may unveil the iPhone 17e on February 19. If that date proves accurate, it won’t be long before we know whether Apple’s budget iPhone sticks with the notch—or surprises everyone with a more modern display cutout after all.
