Apple is reportedly planning a significant deviation from its long-standing annual iPhone release cycle by not launching a standard iPhone 18 model in 2026, according to a report from MacRumors.
Industry sources say that while the iPhone 17 was a strong seller in 2025, Apple is preparing to keep it on sale for longer than usual rather than replacing it with a new base model this September. Instead, the company is said to be moving toward a staggered launch strategy, spreading major iPhone releases across the calendar rather than concentrating everything into a single fall event.
Under this revised plan, Apple is still expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in late 2026, alongside its first foldable iPhone. (If you missed it, a huge festive leak seemed to confirm a book-style design and no apparent crease for Apple’s long-awaited iPhone Fold.) The standard iPhone 18 would then follow in spring 2027.
The shift is thought to be driven by the growing complexity of Apple’s iPhone lineup, with Pro models, a foldable, and multiple price tiers all competing for attention. By spacing launches out, Apple can give its most advanced devices more breathing room while easing pressure on manufacturing and supply chains.
If accurate, the move would mark the first time in over a decade that Apple skips a calendar year without introducing a new standard iPhone. It also signals a broader rethink of how Apple rolls out its most important product – with the foldable iPhone likely acting as the headline-grabber for 2026 and the familiar base model taking a back seat for the first time.