Apple to Prioritize iPhone 18 Pro and Foldable Ultra, Pushing iPhone 18 to 2027
Apple is reportedly planning a staggered release schedule for its 2026 flagship lineup, launching the Pro models and its first foldable phone first while delaying standard models.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Apple plans to release the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max ahead of other models in 2026.
- The highly anticipated iPhone Ultra, Apple's first foldable phone, is expected to debut in September with a potential slight delay in actual shipping.
- The standard iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 may be pushed back to a spring 2027 launch.
- Only three new iPhone models are expected to debut in total for the 2026 lineup.
Flagship smartphones remain the primary revenue driver for Apple, with the company traditionally unveiling four new devices during a single September event and rolling them out to stores within the same month.
However, Apple has previously broken away from this standard routine. Back in 2020, disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic forced the tech giant to push its launch event to October, initially releasing only two models while the remaining two arrived later in November.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
For the upcoming 2026 cycle, the company is expected to alter its traditional timeline once again. Apple plans to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max first, alongside the much-talked-about iPhone Ultra—the brand's inaugural foldable smartphone. While the foldable device is slated for a September appearance, certain reports suggest its actual retail release might trail slightly behind the Pro variants.
Staggering product launches and separating release windows allows tech manufacturers to better manage complex supply chains and maximize consumer attention across different product tiers. Prioritizing high-end and innovative form factors like foldables caters immediately to early adopters while easing manufacturing volume pressures during the initial launch phase.
In addition to the revised timeline, the total number of devices hitting the market will also shift. According to recent reports, the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 are set to be postponed until the spring of 2027, leaving the company with a streamlined lineup of just three smartphone releases for 2026.
Source: Thairath Lifestyle
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