Apple may not launch iPhone 18 in 2026, is said to do so instead
Apple is reportedly set to begin trial production of the iPhone 18 as early as 2026, after the Lunar New Year. This would be in line with previous reports indicating that the next vanilla iPhone will be launched in early 2027.
Apple is reportedly ready to make changes to its launch timeline for iPhones. The iPhone 18 series is expected to be released in two phases – the iPhone 18 Pro models are likely to launch in September 2026 along with the alleged iPhone Fold, while the base iPhone 18 could launch as early as 2027. Now, a new leak has revealed that this will be the case, with test production of the iPhone 18 yet to begin.
According to tipster Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, trial production of the vanilla iPhone 18 is expected to begin only after the Lunar New Year. The timing is notable, as the Lunar New Year shutdown in China typically ends in late February, after which factories resume normal operations and can begin large-scale new projects.
The initial manufacturing operation will help Apple finalize its design and supply chain processes before mass production begins.
If this claim is accurate, it would indicate that the iPhone 18 will likely launch in early 2027. The device will likely launch alongside the iPhone 18e and the delayed next-generation iPhone Air.
iPhone 18 Pro models reportedly ready for production
On the other hand, the tipster claims that production lines for the iPhone 18 Pro models have already been set up, indicating that the Pro hardware design has already been locked. However, the post also suggests that the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will come with fewer hardware changes than initially anticipated.
iPhone 18, here’s what we know
The iPhone 18 will likely come with the A20 chipset, which is rumored to be developed on a more advanced 2nm process compared to 3nm for the A19. The iPhone 18 Pro model is expected to get A20 Pro SoC. iPhone 18 Pro models are also tipped to use under-display Face ID, which could eliminate the need for Dynamic Island. However, no major changes are expected in the design of the iPhone 18 series.
Expected price of iPhone 18
There is no information available about the price of iPhone 18. However, Apple may keep it unchanged from the iPhone 17, which was launched in India for Rs 82,900.
