iPhone 18, 18e & Air 2 Launch DELAYED Until 2027. Here’s Why…

Apple’s iPhone release schedule is about to change. Quite dramatically, too.

Instead of releasing every new iPhone together in September, Apple is reportedly splitting the iPhone 18 generation across two separate launch events.

The expensive models will arrive first. The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple’s foldable iPhone Ultra are expected to be announced in September 2026.

The cheaper phones will then follow around six months later.

Apple’s spring 2027 lineup is expected to include:

• iPhone 18
• iPhone 18e
• iPhone Air 2

This means there probably won’t be a new standard iPhone available during Apple’s usual September launch window. If you want a completely new iPhone in late 2026, your choices may start with the iPhone 18 Pro and climb all the way to the roughly $2,000-plus iPhone Ultra.

Everyone else will have to wait until spring.

That is a big change for Apple, but it is not simply a case of the iPhone 18 running late. The company appears to be reorganising the entire iPhone calendar, dividing its premium and more affordable products into two groups.

Here’s what is expected from each spring 2027 model, why Apple is changing its release plan and what this could mean for anyone thinking about buying an iPhone.

Apple’s New Two-Part iPhone Release Schedule

Apple has traditionally launched the standard iPhone alongside its Pro and Pro Max models in September.

That is not expected to happen in 2026.

The iPhone 18 generation is reportedly being divided like this:

The iPhone Ultra is Apple’s first folding phone and may not begin shipping until later in 2026, despite being announced alongside the Pro models.

The spring phones should then arrive during the first quarter of 2027. March is the most likely month, based on Apple’s recent launch timing for its cheaper “e” models.

This schedule has been reported by several sources, including Ming-Chi Kuo, The Information, Nikkei Asia and MacRumors.

Two Apple suppliers have also indirectly supported the change.

Pegatron said a major customer was altering its usual smartphone shipment timetable. Camera supplier Largan Precision made similar comments about a major American customer pushing a phone into the first quarter of 2027.

Neither company named Apple, but both comments match the widely reported iPhone 18 schedule.

You can read more about the supplier reports in our story covering why the standard iPhone 18 is no longer expected in 2026.

Why Is Apple Splitting The iPhone 18 Launch?

Apple has not publicly explained the decision. It hasn’t even confirmed that the split is happening.

But there are several sensible reasons for moving the cheaper phones into 2027.

Apple Has Six New iPhones To Manufacture

Apple is expected to introduce six models across the iPhone 18 generation:

• iPhone 18
• iPhone 18e
• iPhone Air 2
• iPhone 18 Pro
• iPhone 18 Pro Max
• iPhone Ultra

That is a lot of hardware to manufacture at once, especially with Apple’s first folding phone entering production.

The Ultra introduces parts Apple hasn’t previously needed for an iPhone: a flexible internal display, cover display, ultra-thin glass and a complicated hinge. Early production yields are expected to be lower than those of a normal iPhone.

Moving three models into spring gives Apple’s factories and suppliers more time. It also lets the company concentrate its September production on the phones with the highest prices and profit margins.

Our iPhone 18 models compared guide shows how all six expected phones fit together.

Memory And Storage Are Getting More Expensive

The cost of DRAM and NAND storage has risen as chip manufacturers direct more capacity towards AI data centres.

Apple uses vast quantities of both.

The new A20 processor will also be expensive because it is expected to be manufactured using TSMC’s first-generation 2nm process. New manufacturing nodes tend to cost more until production matures and yields improve.

Launching the high-margin Pro and Ultra phones first allows Apple to absorb these costs more easily. Waiting until 2027 could also give component prices time to settle before the standard models enter full production.

Apple Gets Two iPhone Sales Events

Apple currently generates enormous attention in September. Interest then declines until the following year, apart from occasional spring launches.

Dividing the range creates two predictable iPhone events:

• Premium phones before Christmas
• Mainstream and cheaper phones in spring

This keeps the iPhone in the news for more of the year and gives the less expensive models their own launch period.

It may also help Apple compete with Samsung’s Galaxy S series, which usually arrives during the first quarter.

The Ultra Needs Room To Breathe

Apple’s first foldable is expected to be one of the biggest changes to the iPhone since the iPhone X.

Launching it beside a standard iPhone 18 would give Apple too many messages to sell at once.

A September event built around the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and Ultra has a clear theme: Apple’s most expensive and advanced phones which is bad news for anyone looking to update their iPhone this year and NOT spend over $1000.

Anyone looking for non-Pro (or iPhones under the $1000 threshold) will have to wait until Apple’s 2027 Spring event which will be more focused on value, practicality and the models most people are more likely to buy.

iOS 27 Appears To Support The Six-Model Plan

References discovered inside an iOS 27 developer beta reportedly include six unreleased Apple device codes.

They are believed to correspond with:

• V62: iPhone Air 2
• V63: iPhone 18 Pro
• V64: iPhone 18 Pro Max
• V67: iPhone 18
• V68: iPhone Ultra
• V69: iPhone 18e

The files do not contain these retail names. The model identities have been matched using earlier leaks and supply-chain reports.

Still, the presence of six unreleased device codes inside Apple’s own software is another clue that all three spring models remain in development.

iPhone 18: The New Mainstream Model

The standard iPhone 18 should become the default choice for buyers who want a current-generation iPhone without paying Pro prices.

Its launch may have moved, but Apple doesn’t appear to be planning a complete redesign.

Current reports point to:

• 6.3-inch OLED display
• 2nm A20 processor
• 9GB or 12GB of RAM
• Smaller Dynamic Island
• Apple C2 cellular modem
• Upgraded front camera
• Simplified Camera Control
• Familiar dual-camera rear system
• Spring 2027 release

The most interesting part is not any one feature. It is how close the iPhone 18 may move towards the cheaper iPhone 18e.

Apple reportedly wants the two models to share more parts, lowering manufacturing costs. That could make the distinction between them much less obvious.

iPhone 18 Display: Upgrade Or Downgrade?

There are currently two conflicting stories about the iPhone 18’s display.

One report says Apple has placed very demanding brightness requirements on suppliers, suggesting the phone could receive a brighter or more efficient OLED panel.

Another says Apple is reducing display specifications to control costs. Possible cuts could include lower brightness or a cheaper panel.

Both can technically be true.

Apple could use a more efficient manufacturing process or newer panel design while setting lower specifications than originally planned. It could also use different display suppliers, leading to small variations between production batches.

What seems safe is the size.

The iPhone 18 is expected to retain a 6.3-inch screen, matching the standard iPhone 17.

Apple is not expected to make it dramatically larger. Our article on iPhone 18 display sizes and dimensions covers the reported measurements across the range.

The bigger question is whether Apple will retain ProMotion.

The iPhone 17 moved Apple’s standard model to a smoother adaptive display. Removing that feature one generation later would be difficult to explain, so a lower peak brightness or cheaper panel source feels more plausible than returning to a basic 60Hz screen.

Even so, the downgrade claim should not be dismissed. Apple is trying to manage rising component costs without pushing the regular iPhone too close to Pro pricing.

A20 Chip: 2nm Comes To The Standard iPhone

The iPhone 18 is expected to use Apple’s A20 processor.

This should be manufactured using TSMC’s 2nm process, replacing the 3nm process used for recent A-series chips.

Smaller transistor designs can let Apple fit more processing hardware into the same area while reducing power use.

Possible results include:

• Better battery efficiency
• Faster app performance
• Improved gaming
• Less heat
• Faster photo processing
• More capable on-device AI
• Better sustained performance

The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to get an A20 Pro version with a stronger GPU and other performance differences.

Apple may also reduce the standard A20’s GPU from five cores to four as part of its cost controls. That would give it less graphics power than the Pro chip without making normal apps feel slow.

Most people won’t notice one missing GPU core while messaging, browsing or streaming video. It would matter more during demanding games, video editing and other graphics-heavy jobs.

Our A20 and A20 Pro explainer covers the expected differences and what ordinary users are likely to notice.

Will The iPhone 18 Have 9GB Or 12GB Of RAM?

Reports disagree.

Ming-Chi Kuo expects the iPhone 18 and 18e to use 9GB of RAM. Analyst Jeff Pu believes the standard iPhone 18 could move to 12GB.

The difference matters because Apple is developing iOS 27 features that require at least 12GB of memory.

Reported examples include:

• More control over Siri’s voice expressiveness
• Adjustable Siri speaking pace
• Improved on-device speech-to-text dictation

These functions reportedly run locally rather than relying entirely on cloud processing. A phone with 9GB may not have enough memory to run them as intended.

Apple has excluded older iPhones from newer software features based on memory and processor requirements before. It could do the same here, giving the iPhone 18 Pro additional Apple Intelligence functions even though the standard iPhone 18 uses the same chip generation.

That would be annoying, especially on a phone likely to cost $799 or more.

It may also explain why the 9GB and 12GB reports conflict. Apple could still be testing both configurations while balancing component cost against the features it wants to support.

A Smaller Dynamic Island May Come To Every iPhone 18

The iPhone 18 could adopt the smaller Dynamic Island expected on the Pro models.

Apple is reportedly moving some Face ID hardware underneath the display. It may not hide the full TrueDepth system, but placing part of it beneath the OLED panel would reduce the visible cutout.

Earlier reports focused only on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. More recent claims say the smaller design could appear across the entire generation.

If true, it would give the standard iPhone 18 a more modern front without requiring Apple to redesign the rest of the phone.

The Dynamic Island software would remain. Timers, calls, navigation, music and Live Activities would simply appear inside a smaller physical area.

The C2 Modem Could Replace Qualcomm

Apple’s second-generation C2 modem is expected to appear in the iPhone 18 and possibly the iPhone 18e.

Apple has been trying to replace Qualcomm’s cellular hardware for years. Its first C-series modems appeared in cheaper and thinner devices before moving towards the main range.

The C2 should improve:

• 5G performance
• Power efficiency
• Network switching
• Satellite connectivity
• Integration with Apple’s processor
• Location privacy

The chip may support Apple’s Limit Precise Location setting, reducing how accurately mobile networks can identify a user’s position.

Instead of giving a carrier address-level location data, the setting could restrict it to the surrounding neighbourhood.

The unresolved issue is mmWave 5G.

If the C2 does not fully support the high-frequency mmWave networks used by US carriers, Apple may continue using Qualcomm modems in American iPhones while installing C2 chips in other regions.

That would produce different internal hardware depending on where the phone is sold.

Camera Upgrades May Focus On The Front

There is no strong report pointing to a completely new rear camera system for the standard iPhone 18.

A dual-camera setup remains likely:

• Main camera
• Ultra-wide camera

The Pro and Pro Max should retain the better telephoto system and may receive variable-aperture hardware. You can see the expected differences in our iPhone 18 camera rumours guide.

The front camera could receive a more obvious upgrade.

All iPhone 18 models have been linked with a 24MP selfie camera, up from the 18MP unit used in the current generation.

Higher resolution could improve:

• Cropped selfies
• Group photographs
• Detail during video calls
• Low-light processing
• Portrait separation
• 4K video quality

Apple’s Center Stage system should continue automatically adjusting the frame as people enter or leave a shot.

Camera Control Could Become Simpler And Cheaper

The iPhone 18 may retain Apple’s Camera Control button but use a simpler design.

Current versions combine pressure sensing with a capacitive touch layer. This allows the control to detect presses, lighter touches and swipe gestures.

Apple may remove the capacitive layer and rely on pressure sensing for all inputs.

That would reduce manufacturing cost and could make Camera Control less fiddly. Accidental swipes are one of the existing design’s problems, so losing some touch sensitivity may actually improve the experience.

It would still launch the camera and capture photographs. The way users change settings through the button may be revised.

How Much Will The iPhone 18 Cost?

There is no confirmed price.

The iPhone 17 launched in the US at $799 with 256GB of storage. Apple will probably try to keep the iPhone 18 near that point, but rising memory, storage and processor costs may force an increase.

Possible outcomes include:

• $799 with more cost-cutting inside
• $849 with 256GB
• $899 if Apple passes more component costs to buyers

The reported display and GPU reductions suggest Apple would prefer to control the manufacturing bill rather than apply a huge price rise.

That strategy has limits. If the iPhone 18 becomes too similar to the 18e, buyers may simply choose the cheaper phone.

iPhone 18e: Apple’s Cheapest 2027 iPhone

The iPhone 18e should replace the iPhone 17e as Apple’s entry-level model.

Expected features include:

• 6.1-inch OLED display
• A20 processor
• 9GB of RAM
• Apple-designed modem
• Single rear camera likely
• Face ID
• USB-C
• MagSafe
• 256GB starting storage likely
• Spring 2027 release

The existing iPhone 17e costs $599, making it the cheapest current iPhone with Apple Intelligence, Face ID and MagSafe.

Apple will probably try to retain a similar price position for the 18e, although a jump to $649 is possible if component costs continue rising.

The iPhone 18e Could Get The Same A20 Chip As The iPhone 18

The iPhone 18e is expected to use the A20.

That sounds unusually generous for Apple’s cheapest model, but it fits the company’s recent approach. Apple wants its current phones to support the same core version of iOS and Apple Intelligence, even when camera, display and construction features differ.

The A20 may not be identical across both phones.

Apple could vary:

• GPU core count
• Clock speeds
• Memory
• Thermal limits
• Image-processing capabilities

A 9GB iPhone 18e could also miss the same memory-heavy iOS 27 features as a 9GB iPhone 18.

Even without every AI function, it should remain fast enough for ordinary use and receive software updates for years.

Where Will Apple Cut Costs On The iPhone 18e?

Apple will need to create clear reasons to buy the more expensive iPhone 18.

The 18e could miss out on:

• A second rear camera
• ProMotion
• The brightest display panel
• Advanced Camera Control functions
• Ultra Wideband hardware
• Faster wireless charging
• The newest Dynamic Island design
• Premium materials
• Some Apple Intelligence features

The current 17e has a single 48MP rear camera, while the standard iPhone has main and ultra-wide cameras.

That difference will probably remain.

A single camera can still capture very good photographs, particularly with Apple’s processing. But you lose the ability to take proper ultra-wide images and have fewer framing options for video.

Is The iPhone 18e In Danger Of Making The iPhone 18 Pointless?

Potentially.

Reports say Apple wants the iPhone 18 and 18e to share more components. Some parts may even be interchangeable during manufacturing.

This saves money, but it narrows the gap between the phones.

If both models have an A20 chip, similar RAM, OLED displays, MagSafe and Apple Intelligence, buyers will ask what the additional $200 buys them.

Apple will need to use the following areas to separate them:

• Display quality
• Refresh rate
• Rear cameras
• Dynamic Island
• Materials
• Wireless hardware
• Battery life
• Storage options

The standard iPhone 18 could end up feeling less like a cheaper Pro and more like a slightly better 18e.

That is probably the biggest risk facing Apple’s spring lineup.

iPhone Air 2: Apple Gets Another Go At Making Thin Phones Work

The iPhone Air 2 is the least certain of the three spring models.

Apple’s first iPhone Air launched in September 2025 with an extremely thin 5.6mm body. It looked great, but its compromises made the $999 starting price difficult to justify.

The original Air had:

• One rear camera
• Smaller battery than thicker iPhones
• No physical SIM tray
• Reduced speaker hardware
• Less camera flexibility than cheaper models

Reports suggest sales were weaker than Apple expected, causing the company to move its replacement away from the September 2026 event.

The Air 2 is now expected during spring 2027, possibly alongside the iPhone 18 and 18e.

That timing still appears less certain than the other two models. Apple could delay it further if the redesign or production plan is not ready.

A Second Camera Could Fix The Air’s Biggest Value Problem

Apple is reportedly considering adding a second rear camera to the iPhone Air 2.

The most likely addition is an ultra-wide lens.

That would give users:

• Wider landscape photographs
• Better group shots in tight spaces
• Macro photography
• More video framing options
• A proper two-camera system
• Less reason to choose a cheaper standard iPhone instead

A second camera would not turn the Air 2 into a Pro model. It still would not have a telephoto lens or the Pro line’s variable-aperture hardware.

But it would make a $999 price much easier to defend.

The original Air asked buyers to pay more for less hardware because the phone was thin. That proposition clearly didn’t work for enough people.

The Air 2 Could Get A Bigger Battery

Battery life is another area Apple needs to address.

A 5.6mm body leaves less internal room for a battery. Apple can partly compensate through efficient chips, displays and modem hardware, but physics eventually wins.

The Air 2 could use:

• A higher-density battery
• A slightly thicker body
• A more efficient A20 chip
• A more efficient display
• Apple’s C2 modem
• Internal component reductions

Adding a second camera will take up more space, making the engineering job harder.

Apple may need to make the Air 2 fractionally thicker. Most users would probably accept an extra half-millimetre if it provided better battery life and another camera.

Thinness is nice. Getting through the day without watching the battery percentage like a hawk is nicer.

Our iPhone 18 battery guide tracks the reported battery changes across all six models.

Air 2 Pricing Will Be Difficult

The original iPhone Air started at $999.

If Apple keeps that price, the Air 2 will sit above the regular iPhone 18 and close to the iPhone 18 Pro.

That creates an awkward choice:

• Buy the iPhone 18 for less
• Buy the Air 2 because it is thinner
• Spend more on the iPhone 18 Pro for better cameras and performance

A second camera and improved battery would help, but Apple still needs to make the Air feel like more than an expensive design exercise.

A price cut to $899 would make the Air 2 much more tempting. Rising component costs make that far from guaranteed.

Spring 2027 Models Compared

These specifications and prices remain unconfirmed.

Which Spring 2027 iPhone Should You Buy?

Buy The iPhone 18 If You Want The Safe Choice

The regular model should provide the best balance of price, camera flexibility, battery life and long-term support.

It will probably be the right choice for most people.

The only concern is Apple’s reported cost-cutting. If the display is reduced and the phone is limited to 9GB of RAM, it may not feel like much of an upgrade over the 18e.

Buy The iPhone 18e If Price Matters Most

The 18e should be Apple’s cheapest way into the current iPhone generation.

If it gets the same A20 chip and 9GB of RAM as the regular iPhone 18, its everyday performance could be almost identical.

You will probably give up a second camera, smoother display technology and some premium hardware.

For messaging, browsing, maps, streaming and casual photography, those losses may not justify spending another $200.

Buy The Air 2 If You Care About Design

The Air 2 will be for people who want the thinnest and lightest iPhone, even if that means accepting weaker battery life or fewer cameras than a Pro model.

A second rear camera could make it much easier to recommend than the original.

I would still wait for real battery tests. Thin phones look lovely in photographs, but battery life affects you every single day.

Should You Wait Until Spring 2027?

Wait if you normally buy the standard iPhone and your current phone still works well.

The iPhone 18 should bring a newer chip, modem, camera processing and several more years of support. Waiting until March makes more sense than spending considerably more on an iPhone 18 Pro simply because Apple released it first.

Don’t wait if your current phone is damaged, unreliable or no longer receiving security updates.

Spring 2027 is still months away, and none of these products has been announced. Buying a current iPhone at the right price may be more sensible than struggling with a broken one.

Our iPhone 18 alternatives guide covers current models that provide much of the same experience without the waiting or expected launch pricing.

Refurbished iPhones Could Be The Better Spring Deal

By spring 2027, refurbished prices for the iPhone 15, iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 generations should be even lower.

That matters because Apple supports its phones for years. A recent refurbished iPhone can still have a long software-support runway while costing around 40% to 50% less than its original price.

A refurbished Pro model may also give you hardware the new 18e and standard 18 lack:

• 120Hz ProMotion display
• Telephoto camera
• Higher-quality construction
• Better zoom
• More premium display
• Pro video features

You can browse current refurbished iPhone deals, compare devices through our phone collections or use the KYM Phone Finder to narrow the options by price and features.

Buying the newest model is not automatically the best move. A discounted iPhone 16 Pro or 17 Pro could provide more useful hardware than a new iPhone 18e while costing roughly the same.

The Bottom Line

Apple isn’t simply delaying the standard iPhone 18. It appears to be rebuilding the iPhone release calendar around two annual events.

September will be for the expensive phones: iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and Ultra.

Spring will be for everyone else: iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and possibly the Air 2.

The iPhone 18 should be the mainstream choice, with a 6.3-inch display, A20 chip, updated modem and smaller Dynamic Island. But reported display and GPU cuts raise questions about how aggressively Apple will control costs.

The iPhone 18e could be the smarter buy if it receives the same A20 chip and 9GB of RAM for around $200 less.

The Air 2 is the wild card. A second camera and bigger battery could address the original model’s biggest problems, but Apple still needs to prove that thinness is worth paying extra for.

The new schedule is good for Apple. It reduces production pressure, gives the foldable more attention and creates another major sales event.

For buyers, it means waiting longer or paying more.

And that, more than any chip or camera upgrade, is the real story behind Apple’s spring 2027 iPhone lineup.