The iPhone 17e could have a royal flush that no other iPhone could beat in 2026

Then, there's the list of the best compact phones.

This last list above is dying out. It is slowly getting eradicated. Not by some dark conspiracy, but by time itself. Compact phones will soon be entering the Red List of Threatened Species, the way things are going.

Even if you're not the most tech-savvy person out there, I bet you've already noticed that smartphone displays have grown in size substantially in the last decade. The iPhone 6s from 2015, for example, came with a 4.7-inch display. The current-gen iPhone 17, in contrast, arrives with a 6.3-inch panel.

The smallest iPhone

This brings us to the iPhone 17e: the latest rumor about it is that it's going to get a Center Stage selfie camera. What this means is that you'll be able to take landscape selfies when holding the phone vertically in your hand. Super convenient.

But it got me thinking. Right now, with almost no rumors pointing toward a size increase, the iPhone 17e might actually be Apple's attempt at compact phones. To me, that's the real twist here. Everyone keeps talking about chips and cameras on the Pro models, but the untouched screen size might be the biggest selling point Apple has left in this segment.

Because look at what's happening across the lineup. The regular iPhone 17 jumped to 6.3 inches, compared to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15.

The iPhone Air, Apple's latest attempt at redefining thin and light, is a 6.5-inch device. Nice to hold, yes. Compact? Not really. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16e stayed at 6.1 inches, and if the 17e does the same, it could become the only practical choice for people who want the smallest phone Apple still makes, without paying flagship prices.

The compact pros

Compact phones matter more than people think. They're easier to use one-handed, especially for quick tasks. They slide into pockets without feeling like you're carrying a metal notebook. Furthermore, they weigh less, which makes long texting sessions or doomscrolling more comfortable… but, hey, don't doomscroll, go outside!

Overall, some folks want the Apple ecosystem but don't want a device that dominates their entire palm. A smaller iPhone is still a sweet spot for many of us.

That's why the 17e could be a quiet hit if Apple plays it right. Based on early information floating around, it's shaping up to be a solid device. Analysts suggest it could run on the A19 chip, which would make it surprisingly future-proof for an entry-level model. There's talk of an 18-megapixel front camera with Center Stage support, plus Apple's C1 modem, which should help with connectivity and efficiency.

And at one point, there were rumors that Apple would finally retire the notch in the budget line, giving the 17e a Dynamic Island instead. Other leaks cast doubt on that, hinting that the phone might reuse the same display panel as its predecessor, but honestly, either direction wouldn't break the experience.

There's also chatter about the chassis. The 16e kept the older iPhone 14 shape, but the 17e is rumored to step into the iPhone 15's look, with the more comfortable tapered edges Apple introduced. It probably won't get exotic materials. The whole idea of the e-model is to keep things clean, familiar and affordable, so that all makes sense.

As for the battery, no solid leaks have surfaced yet, but most reports expect something close to the 16e's roughly 4000 mAh capacity. Charging speeds probably won't jump either. Apple will likely stick to around 20W wired charging, with the usual claim of 50% in half an hour.

No other choice

All of this paints an interesting picture. The iPhone 17e might not be flashy, but it doesn't need to be.

In a world where everything is drifting toward bigger screens, keeping the 6.1-inch footprint might be the smartest move Apple makes next year. It gives people an approachable entry point into the ecosystem, a phone they can actually hold comfortably, and a device that won't feel outdated thanks to the internal upgrades.

If anything, Apple's real ace here is restraint. While the rest of the market keeps scaling up, the 17e could stay right where it is – and for a lot of users, that's exactly what they want.