Photo credit: X/@logdergisi Apple's early 2027 iPhone lineup has surfaced in a fresh leak, shedding light on the display specifications of the rumoured iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and the second-generation iPhone Air. The latest information suggests Apple is sticking to its existing display strategy, with high refresh rate panels expected on the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2, while the affordable iPhone 18e may continue with a 60Hz display.The leak also hints at a noticeable difference in memory configurations across the lineup. While Apple's Pro models and the rumoured foldable iPhone Ultra are expected to retain 12GB of RAM, the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e could ship with 9GB RAM. If true, that could mean both devices will miss out on certain AI-powered iOS 27 features that require at least 12GB of unified memory.Key TakeawaysThe iPhone 18 is tipped to feature a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.The iPhone 18e could retain a 60Hz display despite a slightly larger 6.12-inch screen.The second-generation iPhone Air is expected to get a 6.55-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.The iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are reportedly expected to ship with 9GB RAM.Some headline iOS 27 AI features may remain exclusive to models with 12GB RAM.Display specifications of the early 2027 lineup leak onlineAccording to tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, Apple is preparing three new iPhones for an early 2027 launch - the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and the second-generation iPhone Air. These new devices won’t show up until after Apple launches the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the rumoured iPhone Ultra - which people expect to see in September.According to the leak, the regular iPhone 18 gets a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display. That means 1. 5K resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The size is the same as what you’ll find on the current iPhone 17, so not much changes there.Now, the second-generation iPhone Air is supposed to come with a slightly bigger screen - 6.55 inches, also using LTPO OLED, with the same 1. 5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. That’s just a smidge larger than the first iPhone Air - about 0.05 inches more. Not a dramatic difference, but probably enough to notice in your hand.The affordable iPhone 18e is also tipped to receive a marginal display size increase, moving to a 6.12-inch LTPS OLED panel from the 6.1-inch display on its predecessor. However, despite the slightly larger screen, the device is reportedly expected to retain a 60Hz refresh rate and 1. 5K resolution, meaning Apple may once again reserve high refresh rate displays for its higher-end models.RAM differences could impact AI featuresThe leak draws a pretty sharp line between Apple’s regular and premium iPhones when it comes to memory. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e should show up with 9GB of RAM. Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, the rumoured foldable iPhone Ultra, and the second-gen iPhone Air all stick with 12GB.That difference really matters for the software. Apple’s already said two big iOS 27 features need 12GB of RAM just to work. One lets you tweak Siri’s voice - things like how expressive or fast it sounds, and the other totally overhauls how speech-to-text works across the system.So, even if those standard iPhone 18 models have 9GB, they’ll still miss out on these new AI-powered features.Apple may continue separating standard and premium modelsIf the latest leak is real, it looks like Apple will keep separating its standard and Pro iPhones - not just with better cameras, but also by giving some AI features only to the Pro models. The RAM strategy is pretty interesting, especially since Android brands like Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo, and Realme are throwing 12GB or even 16GB of RAM into their new phones. They use all that extra memory for on-device AI and smooth multitasking. Apple, on the other hand, seems to be doubling down on memory differences, making your choice of standard or Pro matter even more.Of course, none of this comes from Apple directly yet. Until they actually reveal the next iPhones, these are just leaks - so take it all with a grain of salt.Rumoured display specificationsModelDisplayRefresh Rate Resolution Rumoured RAMiPhone 186.3-inch LTPO OLED120Hz1. 5K9GBiPhone 18e6.12-inch LTPS OLED60Hz1. 5K9GBiPhone Air 26.55-inch LTPO OLED120Hz1. 5K12GB (expected)Frequently Asked QuestionsQ1. Which iPhone 18 variants will get the 120Hz screen?As per the leak, the base variant of the iPhone 18 along with the iPhone Air Gen 2 will be equipped with LTPO OLED screens that will have a 120Hz refresh rate, while the iPhone 18e might keep a 60Hz screen.Q2. Why would the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e lack certain iOS 27 AI features?These two devices will allegedly pack 9GB RAM each, while some iOS 27 AI features need at least 12GB of unified memory.Q3. What makes the iPhone 18e different from the iPhone Air 2?While both of the phones will allegedly feature 1. 5K OLED screens, the Air 2 will reportedly have a 120Hz LTPO screen and 12GB RAM, which will not be the case for the iPhone 18e.Q4. Has Apple officially announced its new iPhone 18 range?No, the tech giant has not officially announced the iPhone 18 series, nor has the company commented on the leaked specs.end of article