For over a decade, the month of September has represented a fixed milestone for technology enthusiasts, marking the debut of the new full lineup of Apple smartphones.
This year, however, the tradition will undergo a significant variation. The rumors about a delay of the base model of the iPhone 18, circulating persistently in recent months, have found solid confirmations.
The Cupertino company is preparing to launch at the end of the year exclusively the premium versions, leaving the standard variant to Spring 2027.
iPhone 18 delayed to Spring 2026, the confirmations
The certainties regarding this unusual move do not stem from hallway gossip, but from public statements of extreme significance.
During the recent shareholders’ meeting of Largan Precision, the main supplier of camera lenses for Apple devices, chairman Lin En-ping outlined the company’s industrial plans.
The executive justified using production capacity higher than in previous years by mentioning a major US client that has delayed the release of a new device to the first quarter of next year.
Even though the direct name of the Californian company is omitted, the reference is unmistakable. It is a rare and sensational leak of information for a parent company that has always imposed strict confidentiality agreements on its partners.
Room for premium models
Consequently, the autumn event will feature as the absolute protagonists the iPhone 18 Pro, the Pro Max variant, and the highly anticipated foldable, currently known as iPhone Ultra.
This choice appears aimed at concentrating consumer attention during the crucial Christmas shopping period solely on the top-tier devices, which guarantee the company much higher profit margins.
Those who prefer a more restrained budget will have to wait until the following spring, a time window in which the iPhone Air 2 and the iPhone 18e are also expected to debut.
According to current information, the future standard model will not feature substantial aesthetic updates, but will include a new processor and a larger quantity of RAM.
