No iPhone 18 next year

Apple may delay the launch of the iPhone 18 to early 2027, while high-end models are prioritized for introduction earlier.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Photo: The Verge .

According to ETNews (Korea), Apple is expected to postpone the launch date of the standard iPhone 18 to early 2027 instead of late 2026. If the rumor is correct, this will be a major change in the iPhone launch cycle after 20 years.

Apple has reportedly informed its supply chain that the iPhone 18 is not on the list of devices to be launched in September 2026. Instead, the company plans to only launch high-end models. The standard and low-cost models (tentatively called the iPhone 18e) will appear in March 2027.

The new plan has been sent by Apple to its component and material supply partners, ETNews reported, citing industry executives.

If the new launch schedule is followed, users who want to upgrade their iPhones in late 2026 will only be able to choose the high-end models, while the standard and low-cost models will not be released until about half a year later.

The decision marks the first time since the iPhone's debut in 2007 that Apple has dropped the standard model from its fall launch.

According to MacRumors , this change could be tied to the foldable iPhone, which is expected to launch in the fall of 2026 as the highest-end device, alongside the remaining models such as the iPhone 18 Air, iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max.

The new strategy means Apple will launch the iPhone in two phases: the second half of the year with the high-end line and the first half of next year with the low-cost line.

In fact, part of the strategy was applied by Apple earlier this year when it launched the iPhone 16e, a low-cost version that replaced the iPhone SE. Unlike the iPhone SE, which has its own name, the iPhone “e” model is directly tied to Apple’s main product line.

Previously, news site The Information and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo both reported that Apple is considering launching the iPhone every other year to maintain sales.

By launching new devices in March and September, the company can avoid a situation where sales are strongest in the fourth quarter but weaker as the year progresses.

If the rumors are correct, the iPhone 17 will be the last generation to follow the old release schedule. The lineup is expected to include the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max models, followed by the iPhone 17e in March 2026.

By September 2026, Apple is expected to launch four high-end models: iPhone 18 Air, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone. Then, the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will be launched in March 2027.

That means Apple's iPhone 18 lineup could include six models by 2027. If the schedule continues into the next generation, Apple could sell up to 10 different iPhone models at once.

Source: https://znews.vn/se-khong-co-iphone-18-vao-nam-2026-post1578243.html