Not for two years! The cheap iPhone will wait for a feature offered by almost every Android

The Apple iPhone 17e has been on the market for barely a few weeks and already feels like a phone from another era. A 60Hz OLED display, a single rear camera, and a battery with a capacity of just 4,005 mAh — these are parameters that wouldn’t pass muster even for a range of cheaper Androids in 2026. However, according to information from the South Korean server ZDNet Korea, Apple is not planning to rectify the situation immediately. The “e” series will only get a 120Hz display in two years.

120 Hz will arrive with the iPhone 19e in spring 2028

According to the leak, the iPhone 19e should finally switch to a 120Hz LTPO OLED panel. Apple traditionally recycles components from older models for the “e” series, so the display from this year’s iPhone 17 is expected to be used. It offers a 6.3-inch diagonal, a resolution of 2,622 × 1,206 pixels, a typical brightness of 1,600 nits, and a peak HDR brightness of up to 3,000 nits.

The transition to LTPO technology will bring more than just smoother scrolling. Thanks to the dynamic refresh rate ranging from 1–120 Hz, the panel consumes less power than the existing LTPS OLED in the iPhone 17e, as it adapts the frequency to the content on the screen. This should positively affect battery life. Moreover, the LTPO panel will finally enable an always-on display, where the frequency drops to just 1 Hz and power consumption is minimal.

Two years of waiting that reveal a clear strategy

From the perspective of Android users, the two-year plan to transition to 120 Hz is difficult to comprehend. Phones with this parameter are commonly found in the Android world even below the 5,000 CZK mark. However, Apple clearly calculates differently for the “e” series — it’s about maximizing margins with minimal component costs, and customers who want more are expected to opt for more expensive models.

Meanwhile, more expensive iPhones should receive even more advanced LTPO+ panels with higher efficiency and brightness in 2028. The “e” series will thus always remain a generation behind — commercially logical for Apple, less pleasing for the customer.

Does it make sense for you to buy an iPhone 17e with a 60Hz display in 2026?

Source: Notebookcheck, ZDNet Korea