Even before its upcoming budget iPhone reaches customers, new reports suggest that Apple has already started planning the next generation of its entry-level smartphone.
Apple is believed to have finalised development plans for the iPhone 18e, according to a leak shared by tipster Fixed Focus Digital on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. The information indicates that the company has begun preparing for the device despite the iPhone 17e not yet being available in the market.
The leak does not provide specific details about the device’s specifications. However, it suggests that Apple is continuing its strategy of offering more affordable versions of the iPhone alongside its flagship models.
Reports indicate that the iPhone 18e could run on Apple’s next-generation A20 chip, which would succeed the A19 processor expected to power the iPhone 17e.
Another possible change could be the introduction of Dynamic Island in the entry-level model. The feature was earlier rumoured for the iPhone 17e but was reportedly dropped from the final version. The latest handset still includes a wide notch at the top of the screen that houses the front-facing camera and Face ID sensors.
According to the leak, the iPhone 18e may launch in spring 2027 alongside the iPhone 18 lineup. This year, the company is expected to release only 3 models — the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-rumoured foldable device widely referred to as the iPhone Fold.
This change in Apple’s product release strategy could impact overall shipments. Data and projections from International Data Corporation suggest that iPhone shipments could decline by as much as 4.2 percent in 2026.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17e is currently available for pre-orders and will go on sale on March 11 through Apple’s website and authorised retailers in India and other global markets. The smartphone starts at ₹64,900 for the base variant with 256GB of internal storage.
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