hello. This is Technologytodaynow. A while ago, there was news that the release schedule of the iPhone would change starting with the iPhone 18. Since information about the change in the release schedule of the iPhone has been mentioned again by a reliable source, we will take a closer look in this article.
Apple’s new iPhone launch strategy reflected in the iPhone 18 series launch
A new report from The Information recently revealed that Apple will be introducing a new sales strategy by changing the launch timing. The iPhone’s timing change will take effect in 2026, and will be reflected from the iPhone 18 series. Reflecting this launch strategy, the iPhone 18 Air, iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and the first foldable iPhone will be available in September 2026, as usual. The standard iPhone 18 base model will be available in the spring of 2027, rather than in September.
Although the exact timing is uncertain, if the iPhone 18 is released around March 2027, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to launch first, followed by the iPhone 18 basic model approximately six months later. If this happens, the initial marketing is likely to focus on the iPhone 18 Pro, and those who were planning to buy the basic model might wait and eventually switch to purchasing the Pro version. This appears to be a strategy aimed at encouraging the purchase of higher-priced models. Such a release strategy is commonly seen with Nvidia, but since it is still in the discussion phase within Apple, the release date has not yet been confirmed.
Apple’s new product launch strategy to be applied from the launch of the iPhone 18 series, Ming-Chi Kuo also makes the same claim
However, information about the launch timing changes has been mentioned again from a reliable, high-sourced source. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans to split its flagship iPhone lineup into two launch periods. The iPhone 18 Pro lineup and the new foldable iPhone will be available in the second half of 2026, while the iPhone 18e and iPhone 18 basic models will be available in the first half of 2027.
Expected iPhone Launch Timeline Over Next 2 Years With Apple’s Changed Strategy
Therefore, here is a summary of the iPhone launch schedule for the next two years.
- Second Half of 2025: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max
- First Half of 2026: iPhone 17e
- Second Half of 2026: iPhone 18 Air, iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, Foldable iPhone Gen 1
- First Half of 2027: iPhone 18 Basic, iPhone 18e
- Second Half of 2027: iPhone 19 Air, iPhone 19 Pro, Pro Max, Foldable iPhone 2nd Generation
First of all, up to this year’s iPhone 17 series, all models including the iPhone 17 basic model will be released at once in September. And from the iPhone 18 series, it will be divided into two launch periods. What is noteworthy, however, is that the iPhone 17 will be released in the first half of 2026, and the second generation of foldable iPhones will be released in the second half of 2027 immediately after the first foldable iPhone is released in the second half of 2026.
iPhone 17e and Foldable iPhone 2nd Generation
According to recent news, Apple is not sure whether the iPhone 17e will be released or not. However, according to Ming Qi Guo’s claim, the iPhone 17e will be released. He said that the strategy is to fill the marketing hiatus because there will be no new product launch in the first half of the year, and that the expansion of the iPhone’s lineup could lead to a decrease in marketing concentration when all models are released at the same time.
So, you’re going to release the iPhone 18 base model with the iPhone 18e. And 2027 is the 20th anniversary of the iPhone’s launch, which is not the first foldable iPhone, but the second foldable iPhone. It remains to be seen whether the true foldable iPhone will start from the second generation or the iPhone to celebrate the 20th anniversary will become the iPhone 19.
Apple Wants to Get Attention with iPhone All Year Round
Apple seems to want to keep its interest in iPhones throughout the year while encouraging the purchase of expensive models by launching high-priced models first. Therefore, it seems that we are going to unveil new products twice in the second half of the year, similar to Samsung’s. However, there are some differences in the lineup that we are releasing. Attention is focusing on how much Apple’s changed strategy will attract iPhone basic model users to professional models and what the foldable iPhone to be introduced for the first time will look like.