iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e: Expected price, specifications, launch timeline and more

Apple could bring the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2 to India next year, with a possible spring launch. From a faster A20 chip and bigger batteries to expected prices and camera upgrades, here's what the upcoming iPhones could offer.

In Short

• iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e could launch in spring 2027
• Both models are tipped to get the A20 chip and bigger batteries
• iPhone 18e may retain a 60Hz display and single rear camera

Apple launched its next-generation flagship iPhone 18 Pro series this September alongside its first-ever foldable iPhone duo. But the launch event doesn’t include all iPhone models such as the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e; leaks suggest the Cupertino-based giant will soon unveil them early next year. Now, why didn’t Apple roll them out in September as it did for years? There comes a few speculations. Some say the company is adopting a split-launch strategy like Samsung, while others suggest it is due to the introduction of first foldable, which reportedly led the company to face massive logistical bottlenecks and pressure for component manufacturing.

Now, if rumours are anything to go by, Apple may introduce three iPhones – the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and iPhone Air in between February and April 2027, with more likely in March. This time, the standard and other models may ship with notable upgrades, especially the 18, which could feature larger battery, more RAM, smoother display and faster processor.

What to expect from the standard iPhone 18 model

Starting with the display, the iPhone 18 is likely to feature the same 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display with a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate like its predecessor, the iPhone 17. But the screen could be brighter and have slightly slimmer bezels. In terms of Dynamic Island, we saw a smaller one in the case of the latest Pro models, but the iPhone 18 could retain a similar design to the previous variant.

As for the battery, we could see a level-up here, as per the claim of tipster Fixed Focus Digital which suggests both iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will feature a 4,430mAh battery, meaning this is around 20 per cent increase over the iPhone 17’s 3,692mAh battery capacity.

Inside, the iPhone 18 is expected to run on the A20 chip, built on TSMC’s 2nm process. It could be faster than the A19 and up to 30 per cent more power-efficient. Reports point to 9GB or 12GB of RAM and Apple’s C2 modem, with storage likely starting at 256GB and going up to 512GB.

For photography, Apple is expected to stick with a dual rear setup of two 48MP cameras, one wide and one ultra-wide. Sources disagree on whether the selfie camera will be 18MP or 24MP. The phone may also bring a revised Camera Control button, IP68 water and dust resistance, and iOS 27. On the software side, Siri could get a big upgrade, with Apple reportedly using Google’s Gemini technology to make conversations and cross-app tasks work better.

Apple’s next standard iPhone is tipped to get reworked internals, and the physical SIM tray may be dropped. That would free up space for a bigger battery, although the change might not reach every market.

What iPhone 18e may bring to the table

Rather than a redesign, the budget-friendly iPhone 18e looks like a performance-first refresh. The headline upgrade is the A20 chip, and some reports say it could be the very same silicon found in the standard iPhone 18. It may be paired with Apple’s C2 modem and around 8GB or 9GB of RAM, and the battery is tipped to match the iPhone 18’s 4,430mAh unit.

On the display, most reports point to the same 6.1-inch OLED panel as before, though a leaked diagram on Weibo hints at a jump to 6.3 inches. The refresh rate should stay at 60Hz, so ProMotion is off the table. Opinion is split on the cutout: some sources expect the notch to remain, while others think the e-series could finally get a Dynamic Island.

For cameras, Apple is tipped to keep a single 48MP sensor at the back, while the front camera may be upgraded to 24MP.

iPhone Air 2: What to expect

The rumour mill is still sending mixed signals about the iPhone Air 2. Reports mention a second rear camera, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, along with better battery life, a smaller Dynamic Island and the A20 Pro chip. Other details may carry over, including a 6.5-inch display, titanium build, 12GB of RAM and an 18MP front camera. The phone could also get roughly 0.4mm thinner.

Expected price in India

Apple recently raised prices for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air, so don’t expect the next generation to be cheap. The iPhone 18 is reported to start at Rs 99,900 in India. The iPhone 18e may keep the iPhone 17e’s revised starting price of Rs 79,900, and the iPhone Air 2 could continue at the iPhone Air’s revised Rs 1,49,900.

It’s worth noting that Apple hasn’t confirmed any of these devices, specifications, prices or launch dates, so the final details may differ. So, you can take it with a pinch of salt.

- Ends