Apple is reportedly planning to give the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e identical processing hardware, including the same GPU core count. This marks a departure from the current strategy where the iPhone 17e has one fewer GPU core than the standard iPhone 17. According to Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital, the change is a cost-cutting measure.

Apple discontinued its low-cost iPhone SE line in February 2025, replacing it with "e" models. The iPhone 17e features a smaller 6.1-inch display with a lower refresh rate, no Dynamic Island, no Camera Control, and only one rear camera. Despite these compromises, both it and the standard iPhone 17 use the A19 chip, differing only in GPU core count.

Using identical chips in both devices would create a clearer performance gap between Apple's standard and Pro iPhones. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max would stand out more with superior processing. This strategy makes sense since the Pro models are rumored to offer minimal upgrades beyond improved performance, with only new colors and a slightly smaller Dynamic Island as visible changes. The standard iPhone 18 is expected to launch in spring 2027 alongside the iPhone 18e. The leaker has a mixed track record—correct about the iPhone 16e name but wrong about the iPhone 17e refresh rate—so this remains a possible but unconfirmed rumor.