Apple is preparing to break its long standing iPhone launch pattern, and the standard iPhone 18 will not be part of the main 2026 release. Multiple reports now agree that Apple is moving to an iPhone 18 launch split, prioritizing the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone later this year while pushing the base model into 2027.
This shift has now been corroborated by Nikkei Asia, adding weight to earlier reporting from Bloomberg, The Information, and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. According to people familiar with Apple’s plans, the company will center its second half of 2026 launch around three premium devices, leaving the standard iPhone 18 and an updated iPhone 18e for the first half of 2027. A second generation iPhone Air is also said to be in development, though current reports suggest it is not expected to ship this year.
The decision reflects growing pressure across Apple’s supply chain. Memory chip costs remain elevated, and many of Apple’s suppliers are increasingly allocating resources to fast growing AI companies such as Nvidia, Google, and Amazon. One supplier executive described supply chain stability as one of the key challenges this year, adding that Apple’s marketing strategy shift also played a role in prioritizing higher end models first.
The foldable iPhone appears central to this timeline change. Unlike traditional iPhones, a foldable design requires more advanced manufacturing processes and new materials, increasing the risk of production bottlenecks. By separating its premium launches from lower margin models, Apple can reduce overlap, protect yields, and keep attention focused on its most complex and expensive devices.
This iPhone 18 launch split also gives Apple more flexibility from a marketing perspective. Staggered releases allow the company to promote the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and its foldable iPhone as distinct flagship moments, rather than compressing every model into a single launch window.
Apple has already acknowledged ongoing iPhone supply constraints during its most recent earnings call, reinforcing the idea that production challenges are influencing broader strategy decisions. Nikkei Asia also reports that Apple plans to expand its regular supplier meetings at Apple Park this year to include more component and materials partners, a move aimed at ensuring supply continuity throughout 2026.
Apple has not officially confirmed the iPhone 18 launch split, but the consistency across multiple supply chain sources makes the shift increasingly difficult to ignore. If this approach proves successful, it could signal a longer term change in how Apple rolls out the iPhone, with premium models setting the pace and standard versions following later.
