Apple May Ditch Simultaneous iPhone Launches Starting with iPhone 18
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Apple might be shaking up its iPhone release game next year. According to a new report, the iPhone 18 lineup won’t launch all at once—with the Pro models arriving in fall 2026, and base models like the iPhone 18, 18 Slim, and 18e possibly being pushed to spring 2027.
This would be the first time Apple splits its iPhone drop by model, breaking a tradition that’s held for over a decade. The change could help Apple spread out production and hype across multiple quarters—but it could also mean longer waits for anyone not eyeing the Pro version.
On top of that, Apple recently confirmed a major shift in where iPhones are made. Going forward, most U.S.-bound iPhones will be produced in India, not China, with Vietnam taking on iPads and Apple Watches. Between a new rollout strategy and a new manufacturing map, it’s clear Apple is gearing up for a different kind of iPhone era.
