Highlights
- Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro lineup is tipped to launch on September 8 or 9, 2026 alongside new Apple Watches.
- The iPhone 18e may stick with a 60Hz LTPS TFT display, lacking ProMotion and Always-On features, while the standard iPhone 18 is expected in spring 2027.
- Both iPhone 18 and 18e are rumoured to feature 9GB RAM with A20 chip, while Pro models and the foldable Ultra could get 12GB RAM and A20 Pro chipset.
Fresh leaks have shed more light on Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 launch timeline and has revealed possible launch dates for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Details about the rumoured foldable iPhone and key hardware specifications for the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e models have also surfaced online.
According to recent reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and tipster Digital Chat Station, Apple is expected to split its next-generation iPhone launches across late 2026 and early 2027. Here’s more on what we know based on recent leaks.
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra Launch Timeline (Tipped)
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes Apple’s next major launch event after the summer break is most likely to take place on either September 8 or September 9, 2026. According to the report, these are the two most likely dates for Apple’s annual September event.
The event is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which could be called either the iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold. Apple is also expected to unveil the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 during the same event.
Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18 and the second-generation iPhone Air are reportedly expected to arrive later with their launch said to be pushed to spring 2027 if previous rumours and leaks prove accurate.
Gurman noted that Apple has chosen September 9 for its launch event over the past two years, although the company has previously held September launches both earlier and later. According to him, Apple generally schedules its iPhone launch event on the first Tuesday or Wednesday after Labor Day in the United States.
If the event is indeed held on September 8 or September 9, pre-orders are expected to begin on September 11. The report also suggests that the iPhone 18 Pro lineup particularly the rumoured iPhone Ultra could carry significantly higher prices.
iPhone 18e May Continue With a 60Hz Display
Another leak from Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station suggests that the upcoming iPhone 18e will retain the same display technology as the current iPhone 17e.
According to the tipster, the affordable iPhone model will continue using a 60Hz LTPS TFT display, meaning it will not support ProMotion’s 120Hz refresh rate or Apple’s Always-On Display technology. The rest of the iPhone 18 lineup is still expected to offer these features similar to the iPhone 17 series.
This comes despite many competing Android smartphones in a similar price segment already offering 120Hz displays.
The claim aligns with an earlier report from Korea, which suggested Apple may not introduce LTPO display panels to its affordable iPhone lineup until the fourth-generation model expected in early 2028. LTPO technology would enable adaptive refresh rates ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz.
The report further claims Apple’s future plans depend partly on the development of a next-generation “LTPO+” display technology. This new panel is said to use oxide semiconductors in both switching and drive transistors, improving power efficiency compared to existing display technologies.
Apple is reportedly planning to reserve LTPO+ displays for its premium devices including future iPhone Air models and its foldable iPhone, while standard LTPO panels could eventually become available for more affordable models. However, if the new display technology is delayed, the arrival of LTPO panels on future iPhone e-series devices could also be pushed back.
iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e Tipped to Feature 9GB RAM
TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also shared details about Apple’s memory plans for its 2027 iPhone lineup.
According to Kuo, both the standard iPhone 18 and the rumoured iPhone 18e expected to launch around March or April 2027 will come equipped with 9GB of DRAM. This would be an upgrade over the 8GB RAM available on the current iPhone 17 base models.
The new memory configuration is said to use six 1.5GB memory chips alongside Apple’s upcoming A20 processor.
iOS 27 will bring tighter system-level integration with Apple Intelligence. My latest industry checks suggest Apple’s lower-end 1H27 iPhones, powered by the A20 chip, will move to 9GB DRAM (1.5GB × 6 dies), up from 8GB (2GB × 4 dies) in the current A19 models, to keep the system…
— 郭明錤｜Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo) June 26, 2026
Earlier rumours had suggested Apple could increase RAM to 12GB on the standard models to support more advanced on-device AI capabilities. However, Kuo claims that supply constraints and cost considerations have led Apple to settle on a 9GB configuration instead.
The upcoming A20 chipset is expected to be manufactured using TSMC’s advanced 2nm process. According to rumours, the new chip could deliver around 15 percent better CPU performance and up to 30 percent improved power efficiency over the A19 series. These improvements are expected to translate into faster day-to-day performance, better battery life, and a more capable Neural Engine for future AI features.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro models and Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which is currently rumoured to launch as the iPhone Ultra, are expected to feature a more premium hardware package with 12GB of RAM and the A20 Pro chipset.
Ming-Chi Kuo has a strong track record when it comes to Apple-related leaks. However, these details remain based on early reports and the final specifications could change before the devices are officially unveiled.
