iPhone 18 coming later than usual with new cost
9to5Mac • • technology
Key Points:
- Apple’s base model iPhone 18 is expected to be absent from the fall 2026 flagship lineup, with the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e slated for a simultaneous launch in early 2027.
- The 2026 iPhone lineup will likely include the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Ultra, and possibly the iPhone Air 2, excluding the standard iPhone 18 model.
- Leaker Fixed Focus Digital reports that Apple plans to downgrade the manufacturing processes for the iPhone 18 to align with the iPhone 18e as a cost-cutting measure, though specific details remain unclear.
- Both the iPhone 18 and 18e are expected to share many features and similar designs, potentially including a 6.3-inch screen and Dynamic Island, making them more closely aligned than previous base and 'e' models.
- Given the launch timeline is still nine months away, these plans could change, but the trend suggests Apple is moving toward greater similarity between its base and 'e' iPhone models.
