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iPhone 18e Rumored to Focus on Chip Upgrade With Few Major Changes

Apple's upcoming iPhone 18e will primarily focus on a chip upgrade, with few major new features expected, according to the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital."

iphone 17e notch
In a new post on Weibo, the leaker said that a new chip is the only upgrade they can currently confirm for the device. They also claimed that the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will share some manufacturing processes, while tempering expectations for substantial changes.

Fixed Focus Digital drew attention to their correct prediction that the iPhone 17e would retain a notch, despite other sources insisting it would gain the Dynamic Island. The reference could hint that the iPhone 18e will also miss out on the feature, although the leaker did not explicitly say this.

The claim follows a recent report from fellow Weibo leaker "Digital Chat Station," who said the iPhone 18e will feature an A20 chip, a 6.12-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, and a single 48-megapixel rear camera. That report also suggested a front-facing camera upgrade was possible.

The A20 is expected to be similar to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo's A20 Pro chip, but feature one fewer GPU core just like its predecessor. The iPhone 18e is expected to launch alongside the standard ‌iPhone 18‌ and the iPhone Air 2 in spring 2027.

Related Roundup: iPhone 17e
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17e (Caution)

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Top Rated Comments

6 days ago at 05:17 am
A missed opportunity to build it around a 5.8" display and position it as a combined iPhone mini and 17se successor.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
6 days ago at 06:11 am
They’re really trolling us with the 60Hz displays at this point, right ?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
and 4096 others like this Avatar
6 days ago at 04:55 am

The 'e' series (formerly the SE) is supposed to be Apple's so-called budget phone ... too many upgrades will kill that option.
But there’s barely any upgrade here at all… The iPhone 17e is practically the same as the 16e (a new chip and the addition of MagSafe, which you could already get on the 16e with the right case…). And now the 18e is supposedly getting another chip upgrade while keeping the same old camera.

I don’t think upgrading the camera every two years is asking too much. Or at least adding Dynamic Island to make it look more consistent with the rest of Apple’s current iPhone lineup…

Especially considering that the iPhone 17e IS NOT CHEAP! $700 for a base model, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the 18e starts at $750.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wanha Avatar
6 days ago at 04:35 am
Is anyone still designing hardware at Apple?

Almost every product has kept the same industrial design for years now. Faster chips but the same shells
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
calzon65 Avatar
6 days ago at 04:58 am

But there’s barely any upgrade here at all… The iPhone 17e is practically the same as the 16e (a new chip and the addition of MagSafe, which you could already get on the 16e with the right case…). And now the 18e is supposedly getting another chip upgrade while keeping the same old camera.

I don’t think upgrading the camera every two years is asking too much. Or at least adding Dynamic Island to make it look more consistent with the rest of Apple’s current iPhone lineup…

Especially considering that the iPhone 17e IS NOT CHEAP! $700 for a base model, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the 18e starts at $750.
Indeed ... the SE series phones were once a nice "value" option, but those days are sadly fleeting.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FlyingDutch Avatar
5 days ago at 10:39 am

There’s that word: Value

Once upon a time Apples products provided value.

Today, drunk on power, influence and control, the wildly profitable juggernaut has all but forgotten what brought them success. Selling excellent products at reasonable prices that provided true value for the customer.
When exactly Apple products provided value ? Quality, pleasure to use… but value NEVER
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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