According to sources, Apple plans to introduce its first-ever foldable iPhone in the fall of 2026 and postpone the regular iPhone 18 until spring 2027, marking the most significant shift in the company’s release strategy since the iPhone’s 2007 launch.
According to South Korea’s ETNews, the tech giant has already started telling suppliers that the iPhone 18 base model will not be included in the September 2026 lineup. For the first time, a regular iPhone will not be included in Apple’s yearly September event; instead, customers will only be able to purchase high-end devices during the company’s customary fall launch window.
The iPhone Lineup Is Reshaped By The Split Release Strategy
In September 2026, Apple will launch four high-end models—the iPhone 18 Air, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the company’s first foldable iPhone—under this new two-phase strategy. About six months later, in March 2027, the regular iPhone 18 and the entry-level iPhone 18e will be released.
This approach expands on existing reforms. Earlier this year, Apple introduced the iPhone 16e, which directly tied to the main range by carrying the previous year’s number and replaced the SE line as its primary entry-level handset. The final iPhone models to adhere to Apple’s customary unified release schedule will be the 2025 iPhone 17 series.
The Foldable iPhone Is The Main Event
Apple’s long-awaited foray into a sector long controlled by Samsung, Google, Huawei, and Motorola is represented by the foldable iPhone. Initial production estimates range from 6 to 8 million units, and production is expected to start in the second half of 2026.
Both Jeff Pu of GF Securities and renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have backed the 2027 release date for the regular iPhone 18, pointing to coordination issues with the foldable device’s mass manufacturing timetable. It is anticipated that the foldable iPhone will include a 5.5-inch external screen, a 7.8-inch inside display, and high-end components like a titanium alloy hinge that reduces creasing.
Effects On The Market And Customer Choice
Due to the revised timeframe, customers looking to purchase a new iPhone in the fall of 2026 will only have access to high-end models, with the foldable gadget perhaps costing approximately $2,000. Apple is making a calculated risk by spreading out launches over the two quarters of the year in order to maintain sales momentum and push sales toward higher-margin goods.
Apple’s selection may grow to six new iPhone models per year by 2027, with ten models potentially available overall when older versions are discounted. According to industry observers, Apple may be able to escape the concentrated fourth-quarter sales trend and capitalize on times when customer demand is often lower by adopting this biennial strategy.