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The standard iPhone 18 isn’t coming this year after all
It looks like the vanilla iPhone 18 won't be launching this year after all. There were leaks and rumors pointing toward a split release, but now we have information from one of Apple's suppliers that the cheaper iPhone 18 models will be delayed to early 2027.
Apple supplier Pegatron confirms iPhone 18 delay
During its annual earnings call, Apple supplier Pegatron confirmed that the iPhone 18 won't be coming this year. The news was first picked up by Chinese outlet Economic Daily News. According to the site, Pegatron executives confirmed that Apple will release only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the iPhone Ultra in fall 2026.
This information corroborates the long-standing rumor that Apple will split the launch of its next iPhones.
Earlier this year, industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple was planning to delay the cheaper devices to 2027 and only launch the premium models this year. The same rumor was corroborated by The Information.
Memory shortages holding up the regular iPhone 18
The culprit is, of course, the ongoing chip crisis. Earlier this month, Taiwan-based journalist Tim Culpan reported that Apple is struggling to secure enough memory chips for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra.
This has led to an estimated $1 billion worth of A20 Pro chips being stuck at TSMC, waiting to be packaged with DRAM components and proceed to the next step in the manufacturing process.
Pegatron executives were cited by the EDN, saying that the very same memory shortages are the reason for many companies to change their launch schedules. In the case of Apple, the company has reportedly chosen to secure chips for its premium models first and, as a result, delay the cheaper offerings.
Another Apple supplier, Largan Precision, also reported during the shareholders' meeting that the increased demand will result in delays.
The iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and the new iPhone Air are all delayed
Apple will have to figure out how to spread memory parts among its portfolio, but at the moment, we're looking at a significant delay for the more affordable iPhones.
The iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and the new iPhone Air will most likely be delayed, with optimistic estimates pointing toward a Q1 2027 release.
Apple has also started stockpiling displays ahead of the iPhone 18 Pro launch, just in case the crisis starts affecting other parts in the iPhone production chain.
People will likely hold their horses
The latest development, along with the current economic situation worldwide, will most likely result in people skipping the premium iPhones.
Apple already announced price hikes are inevitable for the next batch of iPhone flagships. Different forecasts put the price increase between $50 and $400, but the most likely rise will be between $200 and $300 for the iPhone 18 Pro models.
Last year's iPhone 17 proved to be a big hit among Apple fans, offering substantial upgrades while keeping the same starting price as its predecessors.
This time around people looking to buy the vanilla iPhone 18 might not be that lucky. At the very least, they will have to wait a couple of months.Read more Apple iPhone 18 series news here:
・Apple may have done the impossible to keep the iPhone 18 Pro prices as low as possible
・iPhone 18 Pro's ambitious A20 Pro chip is now causing problems
・Rumors of the iPhone 18 delay are now practically confirmed
