More and more reports show that the company is planning major changes to the annual iPhone launch cycle that has been maintained for many years.
Despite the great success of iPhone 17 in 2025, iPhone 18 is expected not to appear until the spring of 2027. If this scenario happens, this will be the first time Apple has missed a full calendar year without introducing the new generation of the flagship iPhone line that does not belong to the Pro segment.
For more than a decade, Apple has always introduced the entire main iPhone line in the fall, usually September, with versions launched at the same time. However, this model is expected to change from this year, as Apple is likely to divide the iPhone launch schedule into two separate phases instead of announcing the entire product in one event. According to the new strategy, high-end models will be prioritized for launch in the fall, while standard or lower-priced versions will be postponed to the following year.
Accordingly, Apple is said to not sell iPhone 18 in 2026. Instead, the company plans to launch iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone with pleated screens in the fall as usual, while the standard iPhone 18 will be retained until the spring of 2027, launched with iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2.
Supply chain analysts also believe that the benefits of production and logistics are an important factor driving this change. The delay in launch time could help Apple reduce production pressure, better manage the supply of components for advanced technologies, and impact revenue between fiscal quarters, instead of concentrating most of iPhone sales in a short period.
