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Apple is quietly reshuffling its fall lineup. A new Asian report suggests the standard iPhone 18 won’t arrive with the rest of the family this autumn — it’s been pushed into the first half of next year.
That doesn’t mean silence in September. According to sources speaking to Nikkei Asia, the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are still expected to debut on schedule, and Apple will unveil its first foldable iPhone alongside them. The plain iPhone 18, by contrast, is slated for a later roll-out.
Why the holdback? The story runs on two tracks. First, rising memory-chip prices are squeezing margins across the industry. Apple appears to be optimizing resources to lean into higher-margin premium models while the component market is volatile. Second, the company seems intent on avoiding manufacturing headaches as it scales up production for a device it has never mass-produced before: a foldable iPhone.
This is the clearest sign yet that Apple is prioritizing premium models and a smooth foldable launch over a full, simultaneous refresh of its entire lineup.
Think of it like staging a complex theater production: you don’t send the whole cast on stage until the new set piece has been tested. Producing a foldable screen and the hinge systems that go with it is more intricate than past iPhone upgrades. Minimizing early production hiccups could protect margins and reputations — especially when premium models drive a disproportionate share of revenue.
For buyers the consequences are practical. If you wanted a Pro or a foldable, you may still get your wish this fall. If you were waiting for the base iPhone 18, expect a later launch window and, perhaps, a different promotional rhythm from Apple. The report also hints that the next iPhone Air might align with the delayed iPhone 18 in 2027, suggesting Apple is thinking beyond a single-season patchwork.
Strategically, this is a notable departure from Apple’s typical 'all models together' cadence. It signals a willingness to stagger releases when it makes financial and logistical sense — and to protect a high-stakes debut for a new form factor. Watch the supply chain and component markets closely; they’ll likely shape more product timing decisions moving forward.
Questions remain. How will carriers and retailers react? Will consumers trade up to Pro models if availability shifts? Apple rarely telegraphs every move, but this reported delay says something clear: the company is treating its first foldable like a fragile chess piece—move it carefully, and let the rest of the board settle.
Source: gsmarena
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