Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event on September 9 introduced three new iPhone models, but buyers hoping for a standard, lower-priced option left empty-handed.
New CEO John Ternus unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-rumoured iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable handset. However, no regular iPhone 18 appeared.
The three devices announced sit firmly at the premium end. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the iPhone Duo opens at $1,999. Apple appears to have kept the lineup tight to avoid diluting attention around the Duo, a product the company has been building toward for years.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max open September 12. The Duo follows on October 16.
As for the standard iPhone 18, pre-event rumours had already flagged its absence. The device, along with an iPhone 18e and a new iPhone Air, is expected to arrive in March 2027, according to media reports.
Buyers looking for a more accessible entry point will most likely have to wait another six months, according to reports. In the meantime, the iPhone 17 and 17e remain available for purchase.
