iPhone 17e to Use Same OLED Panel But Feature Slimmer Bezels

[MacRumors]

Apple's upcoming iPhone 17e is set to feature slimmer display bezels while retaining the iPhone 14–based OLED panel used in the 16e, according to a new report from The Elec.

Citing supply chain sources, the Korean-language report says BOE will again produce most of the panels for the second generation of Apple's more affordable "e" iPhone model, with Samsung Display and LG Display supplying the rest. However, the report does not claim that the iPhone 17e will feature a Dynamic Island, as has previously been rumored.

In August, Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station claimed that the iPhone 17e will gain upgrades including the Dynamic Island and the A19 chip. The current iPhone 16e features a notch at the top of the display, similar to the ‌iPhone‌ 13 and ‌iPhone‌ 14, and an A18 chip. Apple introduced the Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro models.

As things stand, slimmer bezels are more believable than claims that the device will gain Dynamic Island. Apple could slim down the bezels without changing the display panel itself, since bezel size is largely determined by the frame and how tightly the screen fits into the chassis.

If Apple is reusing the mass-produced OLED panel from the iPhone 14 to keep costs down, it can still refresh the look of the device by tweaking the frame and reducing the border around the display. It's the kind of update that would deliver a noticeable design improvement without adding much to manufacturing costs.

Dynamic Island, however, is harder to implement. Apple can't simply add the feature to an older notch-based display. The pill-shaped cutout requires a reworked TrueDepth camera layout, revised sensor placement, and updated display masking.

Adopting Dynamic Island would mean scrapping several of the components and production efficiencies Apple is reportedly trying to reuse for the 17e. Bringing in new tooling and redesigned sensor modules would therefore seem to defeat the cost-saving strategy that defines Apple's "e" line. Retaining the notch on the second version also differentiates the lower-cost device from Apple's premium flagship iPhone 17 models.

Today's report also backs claims that the iPhone 17e will retain a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. BOE has not yet been able to reliably produce low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) panels for iPhone 17 models, but it can produce low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) TFT panels, which the iPhone 16e uses. LTPS panels can't support the variable refresh rate that iPhone 17 models tout.

Reliable sources such as Ming-Chi Kuo, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and The Elec agree that the ‌iPhone‌ 17e is on schedule to launch early next year.

Article Link: iPhone 17e to Use Same OLED Panel But Feature Slimmer Bezels

 

[Justin Cymbal]

Maybe it will have a price cut too considering sales are lackluster

My guess is $549 but even $499 starting price would still be higher than the $429 SE starting price (which this phone replaced)

 

[geta]

A slimmer display bezels means the overall size will be slightly smaller?

 

[Nyx1]

I want iPhone SE 4 instead this

 

[rbbloom99]

I’m hoping it’s not just a repackaged 16e. I’m looking to buying it for my travel phone (replacing my poor old 11pro)

 

[Tunster]

I want iPhone SE 4 instead this

Same. But you'll get mocked here for suggesting a smaller iPhone. Once sales start to stall, we might see it again. But there's no appetite for it.

I pulled out an old iPhone 4S and iPhone 5S I had in storage. Amazing we had those phones 10 years ago.

The larger iPhones have killed off the iPad product line for sure. Doesnt matter how poorly iPadOS has progressed.

 

[ericzz]

Does this mean it will NOT have Dynamic Island? It’s strange from Apple. it was a good opportunity to give the whole lineup the same front design. And now that they’re no longer producing the iPhone 15 and 16, they could have given the 17e that same panel. The 16e had the same front and body as the 14. The 17e should replicate this with the 15.

 

[Happy_John]

If the 17e is unimpressive and still at the same price point, more potential buyers will opt for an iPhone 17 instead.

It's a win/win for Apple.

 

[MRSugarD]

Please Apple, stop using BOE. They are unreliable und quality is subpar.

 

[macjaffa]

Apple havent really
Updated the iphone since the 14 pro.

 

[Lwii2boo]

Apple havent really
Updated the iphone since the 14 pro.

Let me guess really
Your last iphone is 14 pro.

xdd

 

[macjaffa]

A slimmer display bezels means the overall size will be slightly smaller?

The battery people will be along soon to complain/suggest that the ‘saved space’ should be reallocated to more batteries, man.

 

[macjaffa]

Let me guess really
Your last iphone is 14 pro.

xdd

The camera and screens are still the same today as the 14 . Facts

 

[klasma]

A slimmer display bezels means the overall size will be slightly smaller?

Or the screen actually becomes larger, like the 14 Pro was 6.12” (1179 pixels wide) vs. the 6.06” of the 13 Pro (1170 pixels). The 15 Pro was the narrowest 6.1” iPhone at 70.6 mm wide, 0.9 mm narrower. I wouldn’t expect any more.

 

[Kidseeghost]

The Dynamic Island makes sense for the e. The 17 got 120hz so the e will be upgraded to the Dynamic Island. 120hz will be the differentiation feature. If the notch stays it will flop because Apple is holding the "new" design back on purpose. I bet its more efficient to use iPhone 15/16 displays than re engineer the display with a notch to make the bezels smaller.

 

[Populus]

Honestly at this point I may better get an iPhone 16 or 17, especially the latter. With the bigger GPU capabilities for an overcharged iOS 26, faster 8GB of RAM… why not waiting for the 17e then? Because the second camera is quite useful for capturing more space at less distance, and the new selfie front camera also has quite good applications.

And the forgotten dedicated camera button (capture button) is absent from the 16e and will be absent from the 17e, and I can see it useful for opening the camera quickly, instead of swiping right from the Lock Screen.

Also, I have the feeling that the A19 SoC from the 17e will be a binned one, something that has its own advantages and disadvantages…

But, overall, what would make me get the iPhone 17 over a future, cheaper, lighter 17e, is the screen. The new iPhone 17 has a high refresh rate pro-motion screen, plus always on, and most importantly, the feature to reduce PWM flickering (I know, it doesn’t eliminate it, but I’m quite sure it makes the phone more usable). All of that isn’t on the iPhone 14, or 16e OLED display.

No doubt this is such a best seller, never in the recent history of Apple, since they offer several models and sizes, the base iPhone has been such a great deal.

Sadly, the iPhone 17 is expensive, especially here in Europe, priced at 950€