The latest leaks from the well-known tech source "Digital Chat Station" indicate that Apple intends to make limited updates to its upcoming budget-tier phone, the iPhone 18e, scheduled for release in the spring of 2027. Despite expectations of some technical improvements, the phone will continue to rely on traditional display technologies compared to the professional models.
Performance and Display Specifications
According to the leaked information, the device will come with a 6.12-inch OLED display utilizing low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) technology, while maintaining a refresh rate of 60 Hz. This decision means the continuation of the technical gap between Apple's budget phones and models that support high-refresh-rate ProMotion technology, as previous reports indicate that the transition to LTPO displays supporting 120 Hz may not happen before the release of the iPhone 19e in 2028.
In contrast, the transition to the A20 chip represents the most significant upgrade in the device. This chip is expected to be manufactured using 2-nanometer technology, providing a qualitative leap in power efficiency and overall performance compared to the A19 chip operating at 3 nanometers in the current iPhone 17e models.
Camera Improvements
The phone is expected to remain equipped with a single 48-megapixel rear camera, which aligns with the design direction of previous generations. As for the front camera, there are speculations that its resolution will be raised to 24 megapixels, representing an improvement over the 12-megapixel sensor currently in use, although some analyses suggest this number might refer to the Center Stage technology that appeared in the iPhone 17 series.
Why This News Matters
This trend reflects Apple's strategy of clearly separating its phone categories, allocating advanced technical features such as high-refresh-rate displays to higher-priced models. For users, this means that the iPhone 18e will remain an option focused on core performance and processor updates, while ignoring the demands of a wide segment of users who consider a 60Hz refresh rate unacceptable in 2027 smartphones.