Highlights
- Apple is reportedly delaying the launch of the standard iPhone 18 to early 2027.
- The company is still planning to release the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone on schedule later this year.
- Leaks suggest an iPhone 18e variant could debut alongside the standard model in 2027.
iPhone 17 in the picture. (Image credit – Apple)
Rumours have been circulating for while hinting that Apple may not introduce the standard iPhone 18 in 2026 after all. Now, a new report again suggests the company could push the next standard iPhone launch to 2027 due to ongoing component supply constraints. Here’s what we know.
iPhone 18 Launch Delayed to 2027?
According to Nikkei Asia, Apple plans to postpone the iPhone 18 to the first half of 2027 in order to “optimise resources and maximise revenue and profits from premium models amid surging prices for memory chips and other materials.”
The report adds that this move is also important for Apple to avoid potential disruptions while ramping up mass production of its first-ever foldable iPhone, which is said to rely on complex manufacturing processes and new materials.
As per the latest information, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still expected to arrive on schedule later this year. Apple is also announcing its first foldable iPhone at the same event.
This is not the first time we are hearing about the delay. Earlier reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, The Information, and well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had also indicated that Apple would skip launching the iPhone 18 this year. Some previous leaks have even suggested that an iPhone 18e model could debut alongside the standard iPhone 18 in early 2027.
iPhone 17 in the picture. (Image credit – Apple)
The latest report further claims that Apple has at least five new iPhone models in development. These reportedly include the iPhone Air 2, the standard iPhone 18, and three premium models believed to be the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the long-rumored iPhone Fold.
However, the timeline for when shipments of the iPhone Air 2 will begin remains unclear for now.
iPhone 18 – What We Know So Far?
In terms of hardware, the iPhone 18 has been tipped to feature a simplified Camera Control button that reportedly drops the capacitive touch sensor as a cost-cutting measure. The device is also expected to get a memory upgrade with 12GB of RAM, compared to the 8GB RAM found on current iPhone models.
On the camera front, the phone could arrive with an upgraded 24-megapixel rear shooter, replacing the 18-megapixel sensor used in the current generation.
FAQs
Q1. Why is Apple delaying the launch of the standard iPhone 18?
Answer. Apple is postponing the iPhone 18 to early 2027 due to ongoing chip shortages, rising material costs, and to optimise resources while focusing on premium models and its first foldable iPhone.
Q2. Will the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max also be delayed?
Answer. No, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still expected to launch on schedule later this year, alongside Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
Q3. What new hardware features are expected in the iPhone 18?
Answer. The iPhone 18 is tipped to include a simplified Camera Control button, 12GB of RAM (up from 8GB), and an upgraded 24MP rear camera replacing the current 18MP sensor.