Apple may skip iPhone 18 in 2026 to launch first foldable iPhone

Apple is reportedly unlikely to launch the standard iPhone 18 model next year, with the base version now expected to be released in 2027. This marks a shift in the company’s traditional release cycle. 

According to South Korea’s ETNews, Apple has informed its material and component partners that the iPhone 18 will not be released in September 2026. Instead, the company will unveil its higher-end models next year, while the standard iPhone 18 and entry-level iPhone 18e are scheduled to launch in the first half of 2027.

The report suggests the delay is linked to Apple’s plan to introduce its first foldable iPhone in September 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Air, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max. This means consumers seeking a new iPhone in late 2026 will have access only to premium models, while the base and entry-level versions will arrive six months later.

In May, tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also reported that Apple plans to release the iPhone 18 Pro models and a foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026. He noted that the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e would follow in early 2027.

Kuo attributed this shift to Apple’s move toward a bi-annual release schedule, driven by two factors: the “marketing gap” created by competitors that launch devices in the first half of the year, and the risk of “diluting marketing efforts” by releasing all models in the same window. “Due to intense competition, Apple needs to offer more iPhone models. Launching them all in the second half risks diluting marketing efforts,” Kuo said.

This claim was further supported by The Information, which also reported that Apple plans to unveil the 18 Air and Pro models in September 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 lineup is slated for 2027. This launch strategy is also aimed at helping Apple manage its manufacturing resources more efficiently, especially as the company expands its lineup from five to six devices with the addition of the foldable model.

If these reports are accurate, it would mark the first time since the iPhone’s debut in 2007 that Apple has skipped launching the base model in September.

Meanwhile, Apple’s iPhone 17 series remains unaffected. The company is expected to announce the iPhone 17, ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max on September 9.

Source: Deccan Chronicle
--Agencies