iPhone 19e Leak Hints at a Major Display Upgrade Ahead of Expected 2028 Launch

Earlier this month, Apple launched the iPhone 17e, positioned as the most affordable option in the 17 series. Meanwhile, rumours about its successors are already buzzing on the internet. The latest leak about the iPhone 19e reveals a major upgrade. Here's what to expect.

iPhone 19e Leak

According to a report by ZDNET Korea, the iPhone 19e is expected to see light in 2028 and bring a major display upgrade over both the iPhone 18e and 17e. It is said to sport an LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) TFT OLED display. If this turns out to be true, it would be a major upgrade over the LTPS OLED panel found on the iPhone 17e, which is also expected to continue on the iPhone 18e.

The report further stated that Apple is considering applying the new LTPO+ technology to the iPhone Air, which is expected to arrive in the first half of 2028, as well as to a foldable iPhone planned for the second half of the same year.

Apple is also reportedly planning to introduce Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) technology on the iPhone Air model. CoE removes the polarizer layer typically used in conventional OLED displays and replaces it with a color filter. The technology also swaps the standard Pixel Delimiter (PDL) with a black PDL, which could help improve display efficiency and reduce thickness.

Apple Launch 2026

Moreover, Apple is said to adopt a new launch strategy starting this year. The company could release three high-end products in the second half of the year and three relatively lower-end models in the first half of the following year.

In the second half of this year, Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max along with a foldable iPhone. In early next year, the standard iPhone 18, the iPhone Air, and the budget-focused iPhone 18e are expected to arrive.

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