Apple's iPhone calendar is changing: Spring launch expected for standard iPhone 18

There has been a notable change this year in Apple's iPhone launch schedule, which has focused on September for years. While the company did not include the standard iPhone 18 model in its autumn event, it left the stage to the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the new foldable model referred to as the iPhone Duo.

According to sources, the standard iPhone 18 being left out of the calendar is considered less of a delay in the classic sense and more a part of Apple's plan to spread its product family throughout the year. The current expectation is that the standard model will be introduced in the spring of 2027.

With this strategy, Apple is expected to split iPhone models of the same generation into two separate launch periods. It is on the agenda to highlight more expensive and high-end devices in the autumn, while introducing models such as the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and the refreshed Air series in the spring.

REASONS FOR THE TWO-STAGE CALENDAR

There are both production and marketing reasons behind Apple's shift toward such a calendar. The iPhone family no longer consists of just one or a few models; different options such as Pro, Pro Max, Duo, Air, and “e” require separate production planning, supply chain preparation, and promotional strategies.

In particular, adding a new product category like the foldable iPhone Duo to the same period could increase pressure on production partners. Splitting the launches into two periods could provide Apple with the opportunity to use its production capacity more balanced and provide a wider margin of maneuver against potential supply issues.

A similar logic applies to marketing. Announcing all models at the same event could limit the impact created by each device. More focused launches could help high-end models, in particular, stay in the spotlight for longer.

Mark Gurman, known for his reports on Apple, had previously stated that the company was evaluating a more flexible product calendar. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had also expressed the view that introducing an expanding product range at a single event could reduce the visibility of the models.

The new calendar could also open up additional room for Apple to maneuver against competitors that announce their flagship models in the first months of the year. While manufacturers like Samsung generally introduce their new high-end phones at the beginning of the year, moving standard iPhone models to the spring could allow Apple to remain in the news with new products during this period as well.

Apple has not yet officially detailed its two-stage launch strategy. However, if the current expectation does not change, the iPhone 18 family will be one of the first iPhone series where different members of the same generation are introduced in two separate years.

News Source: 12punto