Apple may delay the base iPhone 18 until 2027, and that might be a good thing

However, according to multiple reports, Apple is preparing to split its iPhone launches into two separate cycles for the iPhone 18 series, potentially delaying the standard iPhone 18 until 2027.

An unprecedented iPhone launch cycle

The reputable industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple plans to divide its iPhone launches between fall and spring. He states that, based on this strategy, Apple will release the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in fall of 2026, as is tradition, but the regular iPhone 18 would not arrive alongside them.

Instead, the base iPhone 18 is now expected to launch in the spring of 2027. That would mean that the iPhone 17 would remain Apple’s newest standard model for roughly a year and a half, which would be an unprecedented gap in Apple’s release history.

Why Apple may be changing its strategy

There have been other reports claiming the same, suggesting the shift is closely tied to Apple’s expanding lineup. In 2026, Apple is expected to have a wide portfolio of devices, including the standard iPhone, two Pro models,  the iPhone Air, the budget “e” model, and its first-ever foldable iPhone.

With so many devices competing for attention, launching everything at once could hurt individual models. The iPhone Air, for example, is already struggling enough to threaten the existence of any future updates to the series. A staggered schedule would give each phone more room to stand out.