Summary
- Apple might skip iPhone 18 in 2026 and launch it in the first half of 2027.
- This is reportedly done to reserve the September launch for a premium showcase.
- Instead of iPhone 18, fans can expect the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the iPhone Fold in 2026.
After the roaring success of the iPhone 17, Apple fans are eagerly waiting to see what the new iPhone 18 has in store. However, they might have to wait a bit longer than expected as the Cupertino brand is now expected to delay the standard iPhone 18 to make way for a new kind of family member.
iPhone 18 reportedly delayed till 2027
According to known media house Nikkei Asia, Apple plans on ditching the iPhone 18 at its annual September event this year. While it is still in line to bring the affordable iPhone 17e by Q2 2026, the brand wants to reserve the year-end launch for an all-premium showcase. Hence, iPhone 18 is seemingly pushed to the first half of 2027.
This comes as a definite surprise and disappointment for fans who have been waiting for the base iPhone model this year, especially since Apple recorded its highest fiscal quarter growth thanks to iPhone 17 sales.
However, the report claims that the change in strategy has been incorporated, keeping the current RAM price fiasco in mind and also to push the first-ever iPhone Fold to the limelight. This makes sense since Apple plans a negligible price hike for the iPhone 18 series. This could put the iPhone-maker under severe cost pressure, especially if they want to keep the base iPhone 18 price stuck at $799 or Rs 82,900.
Hence, to ease the burden and also ensure that Apple can charge a premium for the iPhone Fold, this move might be the most sensible one. That being said, we can expect the 2026 Apple Event to showcase the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the iPhone Fold. It also remains to be seen what fate has in store for the iPhone Air 2. Recent rumours say the slim phone could launch in 2026; however, the chances look "slim."
Source
Nikkei Asia
