iPhone 18: Apple's new release cycle at a glance

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Apple will embark on a new course with the iPhone 18. Instead of releasing all models in the fall, as before, there will be a two-part release cycle starting in 2026. The more expensive Pro models and a new foldable iPhone will arrive in fall 2026, with the standard model and a redesigned successor to the iPhone 16e following in spring 2027. The new strategy is intended to streamline development and production processes and better structure the iPhone launch.

The traditional September iPhone launch with all models at once could be history by 2026. Apple is apparently responding to the increasing complexity of its product range. The staggered launch is intended to help streamline production and better test new technologies in the premium models. For users, this means more choice, but also varying wait times depending on the model.

What awaits you in autumn 2026

According to a report by The Information, Apple will introduce four new devices in fall 2026: the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the iPhone 18 Air, and a foldable iPhone. This clearly puts the focus on high-end devices. The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to feature under-display Face ID for the first time. This means that the technology required for facial recognition is installed directly below the screen and no longer appears as a visible notch. Instead, only a small hole remains in the upper left corner for the front camera. Whether the well-known Dynamic Island feature will be discontinued has not yet been confirmed. The new foldable iPhone is one of the most exciting innovations.

Foldable iPhone Fold Apple — Photo by seveniwe / Bigstockphoto

It will have a design that opens like a book. When closed, it reveals a 5.7-inch external display. When opened, the internal display measures almost eight inches. This positions Apple in a space previously occupied primarily by Samsung with its Fold models.

What's coming in spring 2027

The standard iPhone 18 model will follow a few months later, in spring 2027. Apple is also planning a new version of the iPhone 16e. These two models are intended to be the more affordable variants of the iPhone series. An interesting aspect: According to the report, these iPhones will increasingly be manufactured in India. Apple is thus continuing its strategy of reducing its production dependence on China and diversifying its supply chains (via The Information ).

Background to the strategy change

Apple hopes to ease the burden on its production with this new tactic. Instead of bringing all five or six models to market at once, the launch will be spread over two dates. This means fewer workers are needed in production at any one time. It also allows new technologies like under-display Face ID to be tested first in the Pro models before being adopted across broader product lines. Staggering the launches also provides more flexibility in marketing and longer visibility for individual models on the market. Even if this means that not all users will get their dream device in the fall, it allows Apple to focus more precisely on specific target groups.

iPhone 18 brings not only new technology but also a new schedule

The iPhone 18 not only marks a new device generation, but also a new release cadence for Apple. The Pro models, including a foldable iPhone, will arrive in fall 2026, with the standard model and the successor to the iPhone 16e following in spring 2027. With this, Apple is testing a division that is intended to offer both the company and you as a user more structure and choice. At the same time, new manufacturing locations like India are creating a broader production base. So, if you're waiting for the next iPhone, you should keep a closer eye on which model will be released when starting in 2026. (Image: Shutterstock / Varga Jozsef Zoltan)