Apple may not launch iPhone 18 next year because it has other plans

India Today

05-05-2025

Every year since 2007, Apple has released at least one new iPhone. Over the course of time, more models were added to offer more advanced features, including larger screens. From one to two, two to four, four to now five, the iPhone has grown big time both in scale and capability. But there is always room for more – like, for instance, where is Apple's foldable iPhone? A new report suggests that it is almost ready and coming soon.advertisementOver the weekend, The Information reported about Apple's highly secretive plans for its 2026-2027 iPhone launch cycle. If the company sticks with its current naming scheme, the subject of interest here is the iPhone 18 series. This lineup, which, given Apple's regular launch schedule, will come in 2026 because this year, we'll get the iPhone 17. Yes, we are getting too far ahead of ourselves, but here is why it is a big deal: per the report, Apple will launch its maiden foldable next year.Whether it is called iPhone 18 Fold or something else is not clear at the time of writing, but it is so big – understandably – that its arrival is causing Apple to make a few big changes around how it usually launches iPhones. All modern-day iPhones are launched in September. At least that is the case with the top-dollar ones anyway. There are outliers like the iPhone 16e with their own separate launch window, but they are few and far between. But with the iPhone 18 series, Apple is prepping as many as six models. These are: iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, iPhone 18 Air, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone 18 Fold (please note that all this is tentative).advertisement
The report says, because such an expansive lineup may create confusion, Apple is looking to split the lineup into two with four of the models, iPhone 18 Air, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone 18 Fold, set for launch in September 2026 while the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e could be pushed to early 2027. It makes sense to have the latest and greatest iPhones get all the limelight ahead of the holiday season, even as the promise of more affordable iPhones coming, keeps things fresh and exciting. The move should allow Apple to spread out its products evenly, putting out clear demarcation in terms of specs and pricing. It seems like a great marketing move. There is a chance that Apple might increase the prices. Its foldable is expected to be quite pricey anyway, so while the strategy may seem risky, Apple must have some plan to offset it, if the purported shakeup is in the works indeed.The alleged iPhone 18 Fold is tipped to have a 5.7-inch cover display and a near 8-inch folding one. The book-style foldable (think Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold) will be 4.5–4.8mm thick when unfolded and have Face ID biometrics, reports say. It is, of course, advisable to take all this information with a pinch of salt until Apple doesn't announce something concrete about it.