Apple is planning to revise the release cycle of its flagship iPhone models, segregating the ‘Pro’ models from the standard ones. The more expensive iPhone 18 Pro models will be released in the fall, while the slightly less expensive standard variants will see daylight in the Spring. The change is expected to take place next year with the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro models.
Apple is breaking tradition by launching Foldable and iPhone 18 Pro models in Fall 2026, with standard models delayed until Spring 2027
According to The Information, Apple is aiming to switch its approach from releasing all of its iPhone models at once. The change also includes the foldable iPhones, which will be upgraded alongside the ‘Pro’ models, while the standard variants will be introduced in the Spring alongside the affordable ‘e’ variant of the iPhone. For instance, next year, Apple will launch the iPhone 18 Pro models and the iPhone Fold in the fall, while the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Air will be released in the Springtime a few months later in 2027.
Apple has introduced a new budget variant of the iPhone, and another foldable version is in the works for next year. The company will not announce a plethora of iPhones at once, which is making it choose different launch time frames for each segment. To be fair, there are only two segments at this stage: all iPhone models with a price tag of $999 or more will be launched in the second half, and all models below the mark will be released in the first half.
After the foldable iPhone sees daylight, Apple will have six models of the iPhone in its hand, and it will not be able to launch them all at once. For your ease, the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Air, and the iPhone Fold will be made available in September, and the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will be released in the spring of the following year.
It was also reported that the company will opt to manufacture premium iPhone models in China due to the country’s expertise and advanced manufacturing facilities. This means that the cheaper versions of the iPhone models will be manufactured in India, allowing the company to reduce its dependency on Chinese manufacturing following massive import taxes imposed by the Trump administration.
The Information further reported that the segregated launch would also allow the company to employ fewer workers at a time, making it easier to manage the launch. This year, the company will launch all iPhone 17 models at once in September, and the change will take effect starting next year. Apple is also planning a major design overhaul for the 2026 iPhone 18 Pro models with in-display Face ID sensors and a punch-hole camera situated on the left portion of the screen. Do you think Apple is making the right move by breaking the iPhone launch timeframe?
