Leak says cheaper iPhone 18 models may share a lot, including battery

Apple's lower-cost iPhone 18 models may be more alike than usual, according to a new leak. The iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are said to use the same battery. Apple has not confirmed any of this, so treat it as a rumor for now.

Apple is rumored to launch three new iPhones in early 2027: the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2. The latest details come from a poster called Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, a Chinese social network. He shared a leaked image that he says several sources have verified.

What the leak suggests

Using one battery in both phones is likely a way to cut costs, according to 9to5Mac. Earlier reports said Apple planned to build both models with the same manufacturing process, after an AI-driven memory crisis began to escalate. For buyers, it could still be good news. Larger batteries paired with the efficiency gains of the A20 chip would be a real upgrade.

The iPhone 18e is also said to get a 6.3-inch screen. That likely means it would drop the notch, the cutout at the top of the display, for the Dynamic Island, a smaller pill-shaped cutout. Apple has not made a 6.3-inch display with a notch before.

What is not known

The material shared so far does not include prices, battery sizes or exact launch dates beyond early 2027. Leaks can be wrong, so it is too soon to plan a purchase around these details.