Apple Delays iPhone 18 Base Models to Spring 2027 as Pro Prices Hold Near $1,099

5 articles · Updated · Forbes · May 14

Spring 2027 is now the expected launch window for Apple’s base iPhone 18, iPhone Air 2 and iPhone 18e, while the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and foldable models are still slated for September 2026.
Jeff Pu of GF Securities expects Apple to keep iPhone 18 Pro pricing largely flat at about $1,099 for the Pro and $1,199 for the Pro Max, a strategy aimed at protecting its strongest-selling tier.
That split launch leaves holiday 2026 buyers without a lower-cost new iPhone option, effectively steering upgraders toward Pro models if they want the latest device before year-end.
Pricing for the delayed non-Pro models remains unclear, with the report suggesting Apple could offset memory-related cost pressure by raising base-model or storage-tier prices, echoing Samsung’s Galaxy S26 approach.

By delaying cheaper iPhones, is Apple risking its market share to rivals during the critical holiday season?

Can Apple's services boom sustain its hardware prices against soaring global supply chain and AI development costs?

Will Apple's $2,000 foldable iPhone be a revolutionary hit or a niche product in a shrinking market?