Apple iPhone 18 Series Launch Dates to Vary
Apple supplier Pegatron has confirmed that the iPhone 18 Pro models will launch this fall, but the base iPhone 18 is delayed until early next year.
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 lineup may see a staggered release, according to information from one of its suppliers. Pegatron executives confirmed during an earnings call that the iPhone 18 Pro series phones are slated for a fall launch.
However, the standard iPhone 18 model, along with the more affordable iPhone 18e and a new iPhone Air, are expected to arrive in the first quarter of next year. This deviates from Apple's typical fall release schedule for its entire iPhone range and aligns with rumors that have been circulating for over a year.
Prior to this confirmation, analysts such as Ming-Chi Kuo and reports from The Information suggested Apple might only launch premium iPhone models in the fall of 2026. Furthermore, another Apple supplier indicated earlier this year that they were developing a custom chip for future iPhones, pointing towards potential shifts in Apple's product strategy.
The staggered launch approach could be an effort by Apple to manage production demands or respond to evolving market dynamics. This information from Pegatron's earnings call provides concrete evidence for the previously rumored delays affecting certain iPhone 18 models.