Apple supplier confirms standard iPhone 18 delayed to 2027

Apple ↗ 0.22% is reshaping its fall iPhone lineup in a way the company has never attempted before. Rather than launching a full range of models this September, Apple will release only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable device widely expected to be called the iPhone Ultra — pushing the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 to early 2027.

Pegatron Confirms the Delay

Apple supplier Pegatron indirectly confirmed this week that the standard iPhone 18 will not ship alongside the Pro models, according to Taiwan's Economic Daily News. The report indicates the base iPhone 18 is now expected in the first quarter of 2027, ending more than a decade of unified fall launches. This leaves the iPhone 18 Pro as Apple's de facto default model this autumn — a first for the company.9to5mac+2

For consumers seeking a less expensive option, last year's iPhone 17, the iPhone 17e, and the first-generation iPhone Air will remain available, but none will carry the "new" label that drives upgrade cycles.9to5mac

Lower Display Costs, Higher Prices

Apple has secured steep discounts on OLED panels from Samsung Display and LG Display ↗ 3.86% to offset surging memory chip costs driven by AI data center demand. According to South Korea's DealSite, Apple will pay around $68 per display for the iPhone 18 Pro Max — down from the $110 to $120 it paid for iPhone 17 Pro Max panels.macrumors+1

Despite those savings, the iPhone 18 Pro models are still expected to carry starting prices $200 to $300 higher than last year's equivalents, potentially reaching $1,399 and $1,499 for the Pro and Pro Max, respectively.macrumors+1

The Foldable 'iPhone Ultra'

Apple's first foldable smartphone is expected to debut alongside the Pro models in September. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that "everyone calls it the Ultra internally," lending weight to that branding over the previously rumored "iPhone Fold". The book-style device is anticipated to feature a 7.7-to-7.8-inch inner display and could be priced above $2,000.macworld+2

Industry insiders and Bloomberg's Gurman point to September 9 as the likely unveiling date, with pre-orders opening shortly after and devices reaching stores on September 18.northjersey+1