Base iPhone 18 Shifting to Spring 2027 Launch, Six Months After 18 Pro

[MacRumors]

Apple will launch the standard iPhone 18 in early 2027, marking a major shift in the company's release strategy beginning in 2026.

According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans to split its flagship iPhone lineup between two launch windows annually. The iPhone 18 Pro models and a new foldable iPhone will arrive in the second half of 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 and an updated iPhone 18e will follow in the first half of 2027. Here's how Kuo sees the next two and a half years of iPhone launches shaping up:

• 2H25: iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Slim (Air), iPhone 17
• 1H26: iPhone 17e
• 2H26: iPhone Foldable, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Slim (Air)
• 1H27: iPhone 18, iPhone 18e
• 2H27: iPhone Foldable 2 (already kicked off), iPhone 19 Pro Max, iPhone 19 Pro, iPhone 19 Slim (with a larger display vs. 18 Slim)

Kuo attributes this strategic shift to two key factors: addressing the "marketing gap" created by mainly Chinese competitors who typically release flagships in the first half of the year, and preventing "diluted marketing efforts" as Apple's iPhone lineup expands.

Kuo's roadmap tallies up with the latest report from The Information, which revealed Apple's plans to debut the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, Air, and a new foldable device in fall 2026, with standard models following in spring 2027.

The staggered approach would also help Apple manage manufacturing resources more efficiently as its lineup grows to six devices instead of five. If implemented, it would be the first deliberate separation of Apple's flagship iPhone releases since the company established its annual fall launch pattern with the iPhone 4S in 2011.

Article Link: Base iPhone 18 Shifting to Spring 2027 Launch, Six Months After 18 Pro

 

[555gallardo]

Someone stop this guy already.

 

[Aeronauts]

Apple’s product release strategy is all over the place under Tim Cook. Makes it very difficult to plan my purchases.

 

[uacd]

Someone stop this guy already.

Most of his info turns out to be true anyway

 

[Fuzzball84]

So the base iPhone is being debased.

iPhone is budget trash, if you’re not buying Pro, get out of here. Not worthy.

 

[Aeronauts]

So the non-Pro models will launch 6 months behind the Pro models. This is becoming a common theme across their product lines.

 

[Fuzzball84]

So the non-Pro models will launch 6 months behind the Pro models. This is becoming a common theme across their product lines.

It’s because the range of devices is so congested. There are so many devices now that at some point it will likely be paired back.

 

[xXRainKingXx]

What we need is MORE iPhone models.

 

[uacd]

marketing gap

They did it to themselves. Why create so many smartphones? Make one but actually good one as it was back in 2012 and earlier. Invest some money, do a market research and ask people of their preferred screen size, make calculations about ergonomics, maybe even ask AI to come up with solution, why not!

Chinese competitors

I still don’t understand why Apple tries to fight with manufacturers who mainly sell 150-400€ smartphones. It reminds me one large Asian country that in 2022 decided they can start war of aggression towards their Eastern European neighbour who is 5 times smaller in size and 3 times smaller in population.

I mean Apple is large and tough. They better focus on innovation instead of trying to take out another Pocophone.

diluted marketing efforts

Somehow this problem had never existed when they had one or two iPhone models. And iPhones were selling like hotcakes.

Apple's iPhone lineup expands

That is the problem. THAT is THE problem!

 

[maszaikasza]

So the base iPhone is being debased.

iPhone is budget trash, if you’re not buying Pro, get out of here. Not worthy.

Well, a lot of people care more about a platform than about the hardware. On the other hand, you can buy previous gen Pro instead of current gen regular iPhone. So as always - "it depends"

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

Two new exciting iPhones….iPhone Air and iPhone Fold. Can’t wait for both. I’m in.

 

[Anaxarxes]

Pro and Air take the lead (just like MBP launches with every new M-series intro). Normal iPhones and e versions launch later.

People who cannot wait buy the pros --> upselling --> more revenue for Apple

This would also induce shorter buying cycles.

Great launch strategy for Apple IMO.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Two new exciting iPhones….iPhone Air and iPhone Fold. Can’t wait for both. I’m in.

Get that credit card out

Shareholders party, another one in the net!

 

[JapanApple]

Kuo-ism is funny since it's more BS than fact.

 

[oneteam]

Next do a new version of iOS every 16-24 months.

 

[MacAttack2024]

Or maybe just update the devices every 18-24 months. Maybe the base iPhone doesn’t need a yearly update; update them like iPads. When there enough new tech to warrant..

 

[Smittywerben]

So the base iPhone is being debased.

iPhone is budget trash, if you’re not buying Pro, get out of here. Not worthy.

Not Pro, only the Pro Max because Apple is still refusing to put a good battery on their $1000 so called "Pro" phone.

 

[klasma]

So the base iPhone is being debased.

iPhone is budget trash, if you’re not buying Pro, get out of here. Not worthy.

No, no, the Pros are the unproven early-adopter prototypes, whereas the regular will be the mature refined model.

 

[jouster]

They did it to themselves. Why create so many smartphones? Make one but actually good one as it was back in 2012 and earlier. Invest some money, do a market research and ask people of their preferred screen size, make calculations about ergonomics, maybe even ask AI to come up with solution, why not!

Because there is clearly a differentiated market that can support a range of models and prices a single model could not.

A single model would price some budget buyers out, and leave some premium buyers’ money on the table.

 

[stevemiller]

Or maybe just update the devices every 18-24 months. Maybe the base iPhone doesn’t need a yearly update; update them like iPads. When there enough new tech to warrant..

or release essentially the same phone over and over with “new” branding and send those stonks to the moon

 

[Rokkus76]

They did it to themselves. Why create so many smartphones? Make one but actually good one as it was back in 2012 and earlier. Invest some money, do a market research and ask people of their preferred screen size, make calculations about ergonomics, maybe even ask AI to come up with solution, why not!

It's not 2012. The market has evolved, as have Android manufacturers. I understand that in the US the iPhone is almost a must, but here in Europe - and in the rest of the world - many of us are also evaluating alternatives. IMO Apple cannot preclude itself from reaching as many customers as possible.

 

[geta]

If that's true, it means they'll upgrade yearly the e version. Now if only they’ll also add a smaller version…

 

[pbau]

Apple’s product release strategy is all over the place under Tim Cook. Makes it very difficult to plan my purchases.

it's a phone dude - what's there to plan? it's not a car or a house to plan in advance of 2 years....

 

[pbau]

It's mostly done for the shareholders - excels drives all the companies in the world - Apple is no different

 

[AppleTO]

So many phones… yet for the vast majority of users they all do the same same thing.