Apple's cheapest iPhone will stick to one of the worst displays in 2027. Leaker tips iPhone 18 to iPhone Air 2 specs

Is it a "value packed" deal, as Apple claims? The iPhone 17e currently costs upwards from US$ 599 when purchased directly from Apple. Even within the Apple ecosystem you are sacrificing significant hardware features when compared with the US$200 more expensive iPhone 17.  In addition to the lacking ultra-wide-angle camera, UWB and Wi-Fi 7, the underwhelming 60 Hz display stands out as a major drawback for Apples cheapest iPhone.

If you’re looking for a really good deal, you’ll usually find it in the Android camp, where 120 Hz OLED displays are already available as standard in the cheapest Chinese phones like the Redmi series. Of course, there are other display qualities besides just the refresh rate, especially since Apple combines 120 Hz with the higher dynamic of an LTPO panel, while Android phones also use cheaper LTPS panels with 120 Hz refresh rate. Nevertheless, it’s quite telling that Apple will apparently stick with a 60 Hz display for the iPhone 18e in 2027, as Digital Chat Station currently mentions on Weibo.

This also aligns with earlier leaks which don’t see a modern ProMotion display in Apple’s most affordable iPhone until the iPhone 19e (likely launching in 2028). According to the leaker, the iPhone 18e will once again feature a 6.1-inch LTPS display with 1.5K resolution, while the iPhone 18 is expected to have a 6.3-inch 1.5K 120 Hz LTPO-OLED display. The iPhone Air 2 is tipped to get a 6.55-inch 1.5K 120 Hz LTPO-OLED, meaning the display specs for all the new iPhones set to launch in spring 2027 will apparently remain largely unchanged. As a little bonus, Digital Chat Station also mentions the iPhone Ultra 2 and the iPhone 19 Pro (potentially iPhone 20 Pro ) whose development is apparently proceeding normally for a fall 2027 launch.