iPhone 18e leaks are here: launch timeline and what to expect

oh – Divyanshi Sharma

Published: Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 1:05 p.m [IST]

Apple plans to launch the iPhone 18e in India next year, alongside the iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2. While the company is still months away from introducing its next affordable iPhone, a new leak has offered a glimpse of what the device will bring to the table.

According to a 9to5 Mac report attributed to Tippter Digital Chat Station, the iPhone 18e could retain much of the hardware found on its predecessor, the iPhone 17e. However, Apple may introduce a new processor and an updated front camera. The display, meanwhile, could continue to miss a higher refresh rate.

Here’s everything we know about the rumored iPhone 18e so far.

iPhone 18e specifications: What to expect

The iPhone 18e is tipped to have a 6.12-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. This means the phone continues to miss out on ProMotion technology, which allows supported iPhones to offer higher refresh rates for smoother scrolling and animations.

The display size and refresh rate are expected to remain similar to those of the iPhone 17e. However, it is still unclear whether Apple will replace the existing notch with a Dynamic Island. Previous reports suggested that the upcoming phone might adopt the pill-shaped notch, but the latest leak does not confirm this change.

Under the hood, the iPhone 18e could get the Apple A20 chip. The processor is expected to be based on a 2nm manufacturing process, which will bring improvements in performance and energy efficiency. However, Apple has not yet introduced a non-Pro version of the A20 chip, so its capabilities remain unclear.

The camera setup could also see a modest upgrade. The iPhone 18e is tipped to have a single 48MP rear camera, similar to its predecessor. The front camera, however, may get a 24MP sensor, up from the 12MP selfie camera on the iPhone 17e. This could be a notable improvement for users who regularly take selfies or make video calls, although the leak does not provide details about the other functions of the camera.

Apart from these possible changes, the iPhone 18e is expected to retain most of the specifications of the current model. This suggests that Apple could focus on improving performance and the front camera instead of introducing a major redesign.

iPhone 18e launch timeline in India (expected)

Apple plans to introduce the iPhone 18e in the spring of 2027. The phone could launch alongside the standard iPhone 18 and the second-generation iPhone Air, possibly around March or April next year.

The iPhone 18e is expected to sit in Apple’s more affordable smartphone segment. However, its prices could be affected by rising memory and storage costs, which could limit the upgrades Apple can offer while keeping the device affordable.

For context, the iPhone 17e starts at Rs 79,900 in India according to Apple’s recent price revisions. The iPhone 18e could launch in a similar price range, although its final price remains unconfirmed.

It is worth noting that Apple has not officially announced the iPhone 18e or confirmed its specifications and launch date. So, all this information should be taken with a pinch of salt until the company makes an official announcement.