A render of what the iPhone Fold may appear like – Picture Credit score: AppleInsider



Apple reportedly plans to shake up its iPhone launch schedule beginning with the iPhone 18, with solely the flagship Professional fashions rumored to reach in 2026.

Since 2019 and the iPhone 11 Pro, Apple has launched its Professional iPhone fashions alongside the common fashions. That annual occasion every September or October was accompanied by an occasional mid-cycle replace, or the sporadic launch of an iPhone SE, however now Apple is reportedly going to alter to a twice-yearly launch.

In line with The Info, three unnamed sources within the provide chain claim that Apple will stagger iPhone releases right into a fall and a spring sample from 2026. There isn’t a additional particular element concerning the change, however the sources say the dearer fashions will launch first.

That will surely imply fashions such because the iPhone 18 Professional and iPhone 18 Professional Max. Nevertheless it’s additionally attainable that Apple will launch its first iPhone Fold on the identical time.

If the report is appropriate, the transfer of the bottom iPhone 18 to a launch in spring 2027 may imply that Apple ties it in with an iPhone 18e. The primary mannequin in that vary, the iPhone 16e, was launched in spring 2025, as a alternative for the iPhone SE.

Tim Prepare dinner has described the iPhone 16e as being “the most recent member of the household.” So slightly than being a separate, occasional launch just like the iPhone SE, it is no less than hinted that this lowest-cost mannequin shall be an annual part of the lineup.

There is no indication as but the place the anticipated slimmer mannequin of the iPhone would launch. Whereas it will likely be a excessive profile mannequin, the iPhone 17 Slim or iPhone 17 Air is believed to be a alternative for the iPhone 16 Plus.

That will recommend that the probably cut up can be:

  • September 2026: iPhone 18 Professional, iPhone 18 Professional Max, iPhone fold

  • Spring 2027: iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Slim, iPhone 18e

Supporting the rumor is the truth that Apple’s gross sales are historically highest following the September launch. They then have a tendency to say no, even when there was a mid-cycle refresh, comparable to in 2023 when a vibrant yellow model of the iPhone 14 was launched.

Whereas it’s extremely early to get element a few mannequin 18 months out at this level, shifting to a cut up launch schedule would imply Apple doubtlessly spreading its earnings extra evenly by way of the 12 months. It could additionally drive extra gross sales of the Professional fashions, since these shall be obtainable months earlier than the remainder.

And, it isn’t till the spring that the non-Professional fashions traditionally seize the vast majority of Apple’s iPhone gross sales in a mannequin 12 months.

Then there’s the problem of producing and manufacturing prices. Yearly, Apple’s main suppliers comparable to Foxconn go on recruitment drives to massively construct up their workforce for the preliminary manufacture of a mannequin, as an illustration.

There’s reportedly a shrinking labor pool for such jobs round Foxconn’s amenities in China. On the identical time, there’s elevated competitors between producers, so for years Foxconn has been making an attempt to incentivize workers to hitch it as an alternative of its rivals.

Plus, if Apple evens out its launch cycle, it should additionally even out its distribution prices. It could possibly be one other a part of how radically Apple has reportedly been altering its provide and distribution so as to decrease the impression of tariffs.


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