iPhone 18 Standard Model to Be Delayed Until Next Year, Pro Versions Launching This Year

Last updated on June 20, 2026June 21, 2026 by Neil Hemmings on Categories Gadget

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iPhone 18 Leak Revelations

Apple’s longstanding tradition of unveiling its complete iPhone lineup each autumn may be on the brink of a transformative shift.

Emerging reports indicate that the tech giant intends to withhold the standard iPhone 18 model until the spring of 2027, with only the iPhone 18 Pro variants and its inaugural foldable iPhone scheduled for release this September.

Corroborating these assertions, a prominent supplier of Apple has publicly articulated statements that lend credence to this staggered timeline, potentially signifying the most profound alteration in Apple’s iPhone launch strategy in over ten years.

Supplier Insights on the Postponed Release

During a recent shareholders’ meeting, Largan Precision’s chairman, Lin En-ping, disclosed that a major U.S. client has deferred the release of a new model to the first quarter of 2027.

This adjustment has resulted in a postponement of component procurement, consequently augmenting anticipated factory utilization in the fourth quarter.

Lin refrained from explicitly naming the client or the product involved. However, given that Largan serves as Apple’s primary supplier for camera lenses, his comments carry significant weight regarding the delayed launch of the standard iPhone 18.

Further compounding the importance of these statements is the rarity with which Apple’s suppliers publicly disclose client product plans, even in a vague manner.

Implications of Apple’s Revised iPhone Launch Strategy

Reports suggest that Apple is poised to diversify its iPhone launches into two distinct release windows. Premium variants would maintain their traditional September debut, while more economical models would follow in the subsequent spring.

If this strategy materializes, the standard iPhone 18 is expected to make its entrance in early 2027, coinciding with the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2—approximately six months after the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the anticipated foldable “iPhone Ultra.”

This staggered approach is anticipated to enhance Apple’s ability to manage manufacturing resources efficiently, especially as its product portfolio expands to six devices instead of the current five, thereby maintaining sales momentum throughout the year.

If actualized, this would mark the inaugural intentional separation of Apple’s flagship iPhone launches since the establishment of its annual autumn pattern with the iPhone 4S in 2011.

Black smartphone with three camera lenses on back

In terms of design, the standard iPhone 18 is not expected to undergo significant alterations, as reports suggest that Apple will retain a 6.3-inch display for the iPhone 18 and a 6.1-inch screen for the iPhone 18e.

Source link: News.abplive.com.

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Neil Hemmings

I'm Neil Hemmings from Anaheim, CA, with an Associate of Science in Computer Science from Diablo Valley College. As Senior Tech Associate and Content Manager at RS Web Solutions, I write about AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, and apps – sharing hands-on reviews, tutorials, and practical tech insights.