iPhone 18 Pro Release Date

Apple will release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026. The standard iPhone 18 will ship in the first half of 2027.

Nikkei Asia reported the shift on Jan. 30, citing four people with knowledge of Apple's plans.

The company is prioritizing premium devices amid rising memory chip costs and production complexities tied to the foldable model.

The move optimizes resources and targets higher revenue from flagship products. The two non-folding Pro models will feature upgraded cameras and larger displays.

The foldable iPhone (iPhone Fold) will join them for the flagship launch window, traditionally held in September.

"Supply chain smoothness is one of the key challenges for this year, and the marketing strategy change also played a part in the decision (to prioritize premium models)," an executive at an iPhone supplier with direct knowledge of the plan told Nikkei Asia.

Bloomberg has reported a similar schedule, with the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and foldable device set for fall 2026.

The base iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and a potential second-generation iPhone Air would follow in February or March 2027.

MacRumors has tracked the same split across supplier and analyst reports, noting the iPhone 18 Air, Pro, Pro Max, and Fold for September 2026 (potentially on September 9, 2026) while the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e arrive in spring 2027.

Apple has not confirmed the plans. The company reported strong demand for its current iPhone lineup in recent earnings.