I doubt the target market for the 17e would notice... or care.

It definitely is less important / visible to some people. I have a 175Hz screen at home and a 120Hz iPhone, but I use a 60Hz iPad and displays at work and if I am not focusing on it I simply do not notice the difference.

Can confirm - I go for the cheapest and smallest iPhones possible (e.g. 13 mini) and could not care less about >60Hz on my phone, although I care about it quite a lot for laptop or desktop displays. 17e will likely be my next upgrade (if I can bear to part with my 13 mini).

i absolutely do notice. i just don't care, or need it, personally

I guess they need something to differentiate it from the 17.

Of the differences, it's the one that would matter most to me.