News in short

• Apple’s rumoured iPhone 18e could launch in 2027, according to recent leaks.
• The phone is tipped to feature an A20 chip built using a 2nm process.
• Its front camera could receive a 24-megapixel sensor, up from 12 megapixels.
• The handset may retain a 60Hz display and a single 48-megapixel rear camera.
• An earlier report suggested 9GB RAM, but Apple has not confirmed any specifications.

Apple’s next entry-level iPhone could bring upgrades to processing power and selfie photography. However, the reported specifications suggest the iPhone 18e may retain some hardware limitations of its predecessor.

A new leak shared by tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo points to a 6.12-inch LTPS OLED display, an A20 processor and a 24-megapixel front camera. An earlier report also suggested that Apple could increase the phone’s RAM to 9GB.

Apple has not confirmed the iPhone 18e or announced its launch date, specifications or price. These details should therefore be treated as early indications rather than final product information.

iPhone 18e display could retain a 60Hz refresh rate

The iPhone 18e is tipped to feature a 6.12-inch LTPS OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. This would make the screen slightly larger than the 6.1-inch panel reported for the iPhone 17e.

However, the refresh rate could remain unchanged. A 60Hz display refreshes its content up to 60 times per second, while a 120Hz panel can refresh up to 120 times per second.

The difference can affect scrolling smoothness, animations and supported games. If Apple retains the 60Hz panel, buyers seeking a higher refresh rate may need to consider other models.

The leaked specifications do not confirm the display’s brightness, resolution or other panel characteristics. Those details remain unknown.

A20 chip could bring a manufacturing upgrade

The iPhone 18e is expected to use Apple’s A20 chip, which the leak describes as being built on a 2nm process. The iPhone 17e, meanwhile, uses the A19 chip based on a 3nm process, according to the supplied report.

A smaller manufacturing process can help chip designers improve efficiency and performance. However, the process designation alone does not establish how much faster a phone will be or how its battery life will change.

The leak does not provide benchmark scores, power consumption figures or other performance measurements for the A20 chip. Any claims about specific speed or battery improvements would therefore be premature.

An earlier report also suggested that the iPhone 18e could feature 9GB of RAM, compared with 8GB on the iPhone 17e. Additional memory could help with multitasking and certain AI workloads, but the reported capacity remains unconfirmed.

iPhone 18e camera upgrades could focus on selfies

The front camera could be one of the more noticeable changes. According to the latest leak, Apple may equip the iPhone 18e with a 24-megapixel selfie camera, compared with the 12-megapixel front camera on its predecessor.

A higher megapixel count can capture more image detail under suitable conditions. However, image quality also depends on sensor characteristics, lens quality, image processing and lighting.

The rear camera setup could remain familiar. The handset is tipped to retain a single 48-megapixel rear camera, although the leak does not clarify whether Apple plans any hardware changes.

The available information also does not establish whether the front camera will receive improvements to video recording, autofocus or low-light performance.

iPhone 18e launch timeline: When could it arrive?

The iPhone 18e is tipped to launch sometime in 2027, with earlier reports suggesting a spring release. Apple launched the iPhone 16e in February 2025 and the iPhone 17e in March 2026, according to the supplied report.

That history provides context for the rumoured launch window, but it does not confirm Apple’s plans for the next model.

The company has not announced an official release date or price. Its availability in India and any changes to storage options also remain unknown.

For prospective buyers, the main questions are whether the A20 chip delivers meaningful real-world gains, whether the front camera improves image quality and whether Apple changes the display experience. Until the company confirms the device, shoppers should treat the leaked specifications as provisional rather than make purchasing decisions around them.