Apple plans to break from its established September launch pattern by delaying the standard iPhone 18 until spring 2027, making the iPhone 17 the first non-Pro model to remain in the lineup for 18 months.
The company has launched its core iPhone models simultaneously each September for more than ten years. This schedule will change in 2026, according to reports from MacRumors and other industry sources.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will arrive in autumn 2026 as expected, but the standard iPhone 18 will not ship until spring 2027. The device is anticipated to launch alongside the iPhone 18e and second-generation iPhone Air.
iPhone 18 release date reportedly pushed to spring 2027
“For more than a decade, Apple has introduced its mainline iPhone lineup in the fall, with all core models launching simultaneously in September,” MacRumors reported.
“That pattern is expected to change this year, when the company is widely rumored to split its upcoming iPhone releases across two distinct release windows rather than unveiling the entire lineup at once.”
The publication added: “Under this strategy, Apple is expected to prioritise higher-end models in the fall while delaying lower-cost or standard models until the following year.”
The shift comes as Apple manages an increasingly crowded product range. The company introduced the iPhone 16e and iPhone Air in 2025, with a foldable iPhone expected to debut in autumn 2026. Older models such as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus remain available for purchase.
The staggered launch schedule would reduce competition between models, extend individual sales periods, and allow for clearer product positioning throughout the year, according to a report by Forbes.
Supply chain factors also play a role in the timing adjustment. The iPhone 18 series is expected to use 2-nanometer processors, which could initially increase production costs. Delaying the standard model by several months may allow component prices to decrease, according to the Forbes report.
iPhone 18 spring 2027 launch marks longest gap between standard models
The 18-month period between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 would represent the longest gap between standard iPhone releases in company history. The only previous exception occurred with the iPhone 4s, which launched 15 months after the iPhone 4.
The iPhone 12 went on sale in October 2020 after a September announcement, but that delay resulted from the Covid pandemic rather than a strategic decision.
The standard iPhone 18 is rumoured to feature a smaller camera bump compared to previous models, Cnet reported. “This could result in a small pinhole cutout for the camera, as the Face ID sensors may be located under/behind the display instead,” the report said.
