Apple skips standard iPhone 18 launch, focuses on Pro models and foldable Duo

During its Surprise and Shine keynote, Apple rolled out the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the inaugural foldable iPhone Duo, omitting the standard iPhone 18 that usually launches alongside the Pro models. Reports suggest the baseline iPhone 18 has been pushed to early 2027 rather than cancelled, a move intended to prevent product oversaturation in the autumn market and to mitigate memory-chip supply constraints.

By separating the launch cycles, Apple can distribute device shipments more evenly over four fiscal quarters instead of relying heavily on the year-end sales surge. The upcoming spring lineup is expected to include an iPhone 18e with a new processor and 9 GB of RAM, an iPhone Air 2 featuring an extra camera sensor and larger battery, and a cost-reduced base model using 2 nm A20 silicon and shared components. This strategy aims to maintain high margins on premium devices while preparing a broader consumer offering for the following year.