Technology
Danish Kapoor
Danish Kapoor

Apple changes iPhone 18 schedule, standard model will be delayed

apple, It is preparing to divide the promotion calendar of the iPhone 18 family into two separate periods for the first time.. Company, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and plans to introduce the first foldable iPhone model in September 2026. Standard iPhone 18 more affordable with iPhone 18e It will be postponed until the spring of 2027. Thus, those who want to upgrade to the new generation in the fall will only have expensive iPhone options.

Until a few years ago, Apple was releasing three new iPhone models every autumn. iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max were among the last trio of examples of this order. Then, the iPhone 12 mini increased the number of models to four, and Apple later replaced the mini option with the iPhone 14 Plus. The company recently replaced the Plus model with the thin-body iPhone Air option.

With this iPhone 16ebringing the number of iPhones Apple offers in a year to five. With the addition of the first foldable model to the family, the annual number of products will reach six. When Apple introduces all of these phones at a single event, the models can surpass each other. For this reason, the company aims to distribute expensive phones and more affordable models in different sales periods.

According to the planned calendar, in September 2026 iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the foldable iPhone will hit the scene. Apple has not yet announced the name of the foldable phone, but sources highlight the names iPhone Fold and iPhone Ultra. The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and possible iPhone Air 2 will be included in the second launch in spring 2027. Sources state that the company will reserve high-end models for autumn and make a separate space for lower-priced options in spring.

Apple will present expensive and affordable iPhone models on different dates

The fourth option in Apple’s four-model iPhone family could not start selling quickly. This table appeared on both iPhone mini and iPhone Plus models. On the other hand, the standard iPhone model could not remain at the center of the event when it was released on the same day as the Pro options. Apple plans to introduce each model group with different user expectations in two separate launches.

new calendar, Differences between iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e also brings it to the agenda again. According to sources, Apple is working to bring the production methods of the two phones closer together. For this reason, the main differences between models may be limited to the display panel and camera hardware. It is not yet clear whether the company will make the iPhone 18e more advanced or reduce some of the features of the standard iPhone 18.

In addition, Apple is expected to conduct production trials in India for simpler models that will be released in the spring. The company has moved more of its iPhone production to India in recent years and has begun to reduce its dependence on China. The fact that iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e share similar production steps may make it easier for Apple to manage cost and supply processes together. Apple has not yet shared the technical details of these two models.

iPhone Air 2 stands out as the most uncertain model of the calendar. While initial reports placed the second-generation Air model for a September 2026 launch, subsequent information stated that Apple delayed the phone due to weak sales. Some sources write that the iPhone Air 2 will be released in the spring of 2027, along with the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e. The possibility of Apple canceling the project completely is also among the options cited by the sources.

On the pro models side A20 Pro processorwill be one of the main innovations Apple has prepared for its 2026 phones. Sources suggest that the company will prepare this processor with a 2 nm production process. Smaller Dynamic Island area, variable aperture main camera and Apple C2 modem are also among the features discussed for the iPhone 18 Pro family. Apple has not officially confirmed these features or the on-sale dates of the devices.

Apple’s splitting of the launch into two may also change the price distribution of iPhone sales in the fall. Those who want to buy a new generation iPhone in September will not have the standard iPhone 18 option. These users will turn to the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max or the foldable model, which is expected to be more expensive. This distribution of preferences could increase Apple’s average revenue per iPhone.

The spring launch will provide a wider promotional area for the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e. At this event, Apple will be able to explain the camera, screen, processor and price differences without the shadow of the Pro models. If the iPhone Air 2 remains in the project, the company will offer three different price and design options at the same event. The exact scope of the calendar will be determined by Apple’s decision about the Air model.

According to available information iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and foldable iPhone in September 2026in the spring of 2027 iPhone 18 vs iPhone 18e will be on sale. It is not yet clear which launch event the iPhone Air 2 will take part in. Apple did not announce the new product schedule or model names through its official channels. The company’s traditional September event will clarify the release plan of the first three models.

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Danish Kapoor