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The iPhone 18e will be released in spring 2027, alongside the iPhone 18 and the iPhone Air 2. For the first time, an „e“ model is expected to feature Dynamic Island, along with the A20 chip, which is rumored to be identical to the one in the iPhone 18. A new graphic now suggests a 6.3-inch display and the same battery as the iPhone 18.
With the iPhone 18e, Apple continues its line of more affordable entry-level iPhones. Following the iPhone 16e in early 2025 and the iPhone 17e in March 2026, the third "e" generation will arrive in spring 2027. For the first time, it will not be released after an already available standard model, but simultaneously with the iPhone 18 and the iPhone Air 2.
The most intriguing question is how big the gap will be between the iPhone 18 and the regular iPhone 18. The predecessors, the 16e and 17e, were clearly budget versions with simpler displays, fewer cameras, and a cut-down chip. Current leaks suggest that the iPhone 18e will be closer to the iPhone 18 internally than any previous "e" model, and according to the latest leak, also in terms of form factor. All news about the device can be found on the iPhone 18e topic page.
iPhone 18e: The most important points in brief
| Detail | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Release | Spring 2027 |
| Chip | A20, possibly identical to the iPhone 18 |
| RAM | 9 GB expected, like the iPhone 18 |
| Display | 6.3 inches according to a new leak, 6.12 inches according to Digital Chat Station; 60 Hz using LTPS technology, no ProMotion |
| Dynamic Island | According to a new leak, this seems likely. |
| Battery | 4,430 mAh according to the leak, like the iPhone 18. |
| SIM slot | According to the leak, this feature will be omitted in the iPhone 18; the 18e will adopt its design. |
| Main camera | 48 MP Fusion, one lens |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth previously expected, Digital Chat Station mentions 24 MP |
| Modem | C1X, probably like on the iPhone 17e |
| Price | No information provided; iPhone 17e currently available from €849 |
iPhone 18e: Release date in spring 2027
According to a Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman, the iPhone 18e will be released in spring 2027. The iPhone 16e was released in February 2025, and the iPhone 17e in March 2026. The main new aspect is that Apple is grouping the three more affordable models – the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 – into a single spring release window.
This bundling is part of Apple's two-stage release plan. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max arrived in September 2026, followed by the foldable iPhone Duo in October. The high-volume models will be released six months later. The overview of the entire iPhone 18 lineup shows when each device is expected to be released.
A20 chip: For the first time, the same chip as in the iPhone 18
So far, Apple has used a slightly less powerful chip in its e-models. The iPhone 17e uses the same A19 chip as the iPhone 17, but with a GPU with 4 cores instead of 5. This could change with the iPhone 18e.
Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital reports that Apple is foregoing its usual chip binning for the iPhone 18. The iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will then receive the exact same A20 chip with identical GPU configuration. The reason given is a cost-saving measure: Apple prefers to produce only one variant, even if the standard iPhone consequently receives slightly fewer features.
Fixed Focus Digital's report is mixed. The name „iPhone 16e“ and the notch on the iPhone 17e were correct, but the leaker was wrong about the refresh rate. The theory of a split chip is plausible, but not confirmed. Other sources also expect the iPhone 18e to get the A20 chip.
The parity theory is supported by a report from Ming-Chi Kuo on 9 GB of RAM and the A20 chip. According to this report, both the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will have 9 GB of RAM, consisting of six 1.5 GB dies; the full 12 GB will remain reserved for the Pro models. This would put both models on par in terms of chip and memory, with the difference shifting to the display, cameras, and cooling.
Display: 6.3 or 6.12 inches, but no ProMotion
There are two conflicting figures regarding the display size. In a Weibo post from late October, Digital Chat Station states that the iPhone 18e has a diagonal of 6.12 inches, the same as the iPhone 17e. Apple, however, specifies the iPhone 17e as having a 6.1-inch display with a resolution of 2,532 x 1,170 pixels and a pixel density of 460 ppi, measuring the display as a 6.06-inch rectangle.
Fixed Focus Digital counters with a leak regarding the iPhone 18's 6.3-inch display and battery. According to the leaker, both the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will have a 6.3-inch display. He shares a graphic of the two devices circulating online, which he claims is largely accurate. This would mean the e-model would adopt the standard model's form factor for the first time.
Since spring 2026, the Dynamic Island architecture had been rumored for the iPhone 18e, especially since it was already being discussed for the iPhone 17e. Contrary to several reports, the iPhone 17e ultimately featured a notch. In early November, Fixed Focus Digital was only able to confirm the new chip as an upgrade for the iPhone 18e.
The new graphic changes the picture. In response to a user's question about whether the iPhone 18e would get the Dynamic Island display, the leaker replied that it's about time. At 6.3 inches, it's certainly a likely scenario, as Apple hasn't yet produced a display of this size with a notch.
The refresh rate is expected to remain at 60 Hz, with ProMotion and Always-On Display remaining exclusive to the more expensive models. Back in June, Digital Chat Station reported that the iPhone 18e would retain a 60 Hz LTPS panel. The leaker reiterated this information in a post from late October. This is consistent, but not independent confirmation.
According to a report from South Korea, the switch to an LTPO display with a variable refresh rate won't arrive until the fourth e-generation, presumably with the iPhone 19e in early 2028. This technology is a prerequisite for ProMotion and an always-on display. It depends on a further development called LTPO+, which is likely to be reserved for more expensive models initially in 2028. If its mass production is delayed, the ProMotion upgrade for the entry-level model will also be postponed.
Apple could improve the brightness. The iPhone 17e typically reaches 800 nits and 1,200 nits peak (HDR), while the iPhone 17 already achieves 3,000 nits peak brightness.
Battery: 4,430 mAh and no SIM slot
According to a graphic shared by Fixed Focus Digital, the iPhone 18e will have the same battery as the iPhone 18, both with a capacity of 4,430 mAh. The graphic lists the base battery capacity of the e model as 4,005 mAh, representing an increase of almost 11 percent. For the iPhone 18, the graphic indicates a base battery capacity of 3,671 mAh, while the iPhone 17 is known to have a capacity of 3,692 mAh. Compared to both of these figures, the e-models have an increase of approximately 20 percent.
According to the graphic, the iPhone 18 gains more space by eliminating the SIM card slot, along with shorter and wider components for the speaker and Taptic Engine. The iPhone 18e adopts this design. The graphic does not specify a market.
Here, that would be a noticeable break. The iPhone 17e in Germany still accepts a nano-SIM in addition to the eSIM. So far, the only eSIM-only devices in Germany are the iPhone Air and the iPhone Duo.
Camera: One lens at the back, open question at the front
On the back, the iPhone 18e sticks to the "e" concept: a single main camera. The iPhone 18, like the iPhone 17, is expected to have a 48MP main camera and a 48MP ultrawide camera, while the iPhone 18e is expected to have only the 48MP Fusion camera. Digital Chat Station also mentions a single 48MP main camera, and the new graphic also shows the iPhone 18e with only one camera.
The lens is more versatile than it appears. Even in the iPhone 17e, the 48MP Fusion camera with f/1.6 aperture and optical image stabilization delivers a 2x telephoto zoom via sensor cropping, output as a 12MP image. An ultrawide lens, however, is missing, and this remains a deliberate cost-saving measure: a second camera not only costs material but also requires effort in calibration and image processing.
Expectations regarding the front camera are now divided. The iPhone 17e uses a 12MP TrueDepth camera with an f/1.9 aperture. The 18MP center-stage front camera of the iPhone 17 was previously considered unlikely for the e model, as was a jump to 24MP, as discussed for the Pro models.
Digital Chat Station is now reporting a 24MP front camera for the iPhone 18e, but is less certain about this than about the chip and display specifications. There is no document or supplier information to support this claim. This leaves two conflicting reports: 12MP, as expected with the previous model, and 24MP according to the Digital Chat Station leak.
C1X modem likely, C2 unlikely
Regarding the modem, there are strong indications that the iPhone 18e will use Apple's C1X chip. This modem is already found in the iPhone 17e and the iPhone Air with C1X and supports 5G in the sub-6 GHz range, but not mmWave. The C2 modem, which is used in the Pro models in this region, is unlikely to be used in the e model.
In this country, this is not a disadvantage: Apple has so far only built mmWave-enabled iPhones for the US market; the models sold in Germany do not support it anyway.
Camera controls will likely remain unavailable on the iPhone 18e, just as they were on the 17e. The dedicated control button will therefore remain exclusive to all other current iPhones.
Price: As part of the iPhone 17e package
There is no concrete pricing information for the iPhone 18e. The iPhone 16e launched in Germany at €699 with 128GB of storage, and the iPhone 17e also launched in March 2026 at €699, but with 256GB as the starting price. With the price update on September 9th, Apple also raised the price of the iPhone 17e by €150; it currently starts at €849.
Who is the iPhone 18e intended for?
The iPhone 18e is aimed at beginners and anyone who wants a new iPhone at the lowest possible price without sacrificing the latest software features. Users of an iPhone 12, 13, or a third-generation iPhone SE will see a significant upgrade: an A20 chip manufactured using a 2nm process, likely Dynamic Island architecture, and considerably more RAM.
Those who already own an iPhone 17e can save themselves the wait. Without ProMotion and with only one camera, the price difference remains manageable. The iPhone 18e will be particularly interesting if the shared A20 chip is confirmed; then it would offer the same performance as the iPhone 18 at the "e" price point.
Anyone who doesn't want to compromise on display and camera quality should wait for the iPhone 18 or take a look at the iPhone Air 2, which is expected in the same spring. The iPhone buying guide answers which of the currently available models is right for you.
Would a 24MP front camera be the deciding factor for you that makes the iPhone 18e more attractive than the 17e – or is price ultimately your deciding factor when choosing an entry-level iPhone? Let us know in the comments which upgrade would convince you in the e model.
