Apple to skip iPhone 18 launch this year; Pro, Ultra models slated for September
A Deccan Chronicle report says Apple plans to launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone Ultra next month, skipping the standard iPhone 18 this year. The standard model is expected in early 2027, alongside other new devices.
Key takeaways
- Apple reportedly will release iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone Ultra next month.
- The standard iPhone 18 is not planned for this year and is expected in the first quarter of 2027.
- Pegatron signaled a potential change in a customer’s shipment schedule, tied to Apple’s plans by the report.
- Independent details about the iPhone 18e and second-generation iPhone Air point to a March 2027 timeline.
What Happened
According to a report from the Deccan Chronicle, Apple intends to skip the launch of the standard iPhone 18 model this year. The company is slated to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone, referred to as the iPhone Ultra, next month. The standard iPhone 18 is said to be launched in the first quarter of 2027. Historically, Apple has released the standard model together with the Pro models, a pattern noted for models from iPhone 11 through iPhone 17.
The report also cites a statement from Pegatron, a key Apple supplier, via its second-quarter 2026 earnings call. Pegatron indicated a change in the shipment schedule for one of its customers, which the article links to Apple’s product-launch plans. Separately, the article mentions that alongside the iPhone 18 line, Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 18e and a second-generation iPhone Air in March 2027.
Why It Matters
The plan to omit the standard iPhone 18 this year signals a potential shift in Apple’s product cadence, emphasizing higher-end variants and a foldable option. If confirmed, the move would deviate from the company’s historical practice of releasing a standard model concurrently with Pro models, which had been consistent from iPhone 11 onward. The involvement of a major supplier in signalling a shifted shipment schedule adds a layer of commercial context to the reported timing.
Background
The report situates Apple’s anticipated hardware lineup around Pro-focused devices and a first-time foldable, with a projected return to a standard model in 2027. It also notes past practice of launching the standard and Pro models together for several generations, providing a frame of reference for evaluating the proposed deviation.
Key Facts
- The Deccan Chronicle reports Apple plans to launch iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Ultra (foldable) next month.
- The standard iPhone 18 model is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2027, not this year.
- Apple has historically launched the standard model alongside Pro models from iPhone 11 through iPhone 17.
- Pegatron indicated during its Q2 2026 earnings call that a shipment schedule for one of its customers would change, which the report ties to Apple’s plans.
- The report also mentions the iPhone 18e and a second-generation iPhone Air targeting a March 2027 launch.
What Happens Next
Next steps would involve official confirmation from Apple on product lineup and launch timing, and any updates from suppliers about shipment schedules and production readiness. Publicly verifiable scheduling events, if announced, would clarify whether the iPhone 18 standard model remains delayed to 2027 and how the foldable iPhone Ultra is positioned relative to the Pro models.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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