Picture: Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac
Apple might rejig its iPhone launch cycle in an enormous approach in 2026. Beginning with the iPhone 18 lineup, the corporate may not launch the Professional and common fashions concurrently.
The Cupertino firm will seemingly make this variation to make room for the foldable iPhone in its lineup.
iPhone launch timeline might change in an enormous approach in 2026
Apple holds one yearly launch occasion in September to unveil its latest iPhones. The gadgets usually go on sale inside just a few weeks after that. As soon as each few years, it releases a budget-oriented iPhone in spring, just like the iPhone 16e earlier this 12 months.
Ranging from 2026, although, Apple might tweak the iPhone’s launch cycle to make room for a foldable iPhone, which rumors level to a 2026 launch.
The Data experiences Apple will launch the iPhone 18 Professional within the fall of 2026 alongside an Air and foldable mannequin. It’s going to supposedly delay the discharge of the common iPhone 18 till spring of 2027.
Given the recognition of non-Professional iPhones in a price-sensitive market, this is able to mark a major shift for Apple. Nevertheless, a staggered launch will assist put the media highlight on the Professional and foldable iPhones for an extended time. This might assist push their gross sales larger, boosting Apple’s revenue margins and ASP because of their larger retail worth.
A spring launch for iPhone 18?
With two Professional fashions, one Air, and a foldable iPhone already within the pipeline, including the common iPhone 18 would push Apple’s fall 2026 lineup to 6 gadgets — all launching inside a matter of weeks. This may have put a whole lot of load on the corporate’s provide chain.
This transfer additionally is sensible when you think about that Apple will drop the ‘Plus’ iPhone solely this 12 months, changing it with the Air. That would go away only one non-Professional iPhone within the lineup. On condition that different gadgets are extra vital, the corporate can delay the launch of the common iPhone 18 mannequin to spring 2027 with out negatively affecting gross sales.
