Apple Splits New iPhone 18 Launch as Costs Push Pro Price to $1,399

Apple will split its upcoming smartphone launch schedule, postponing standard models until early 2027 and focusing its September rollout on high-end hardware.

Code strings found inside Apple’s macOS Tahoe 27.6 release candidate software revealed internal model identifiers for three premium devices.

Developers examining the build discovered references to the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable device tagged under code designation V68, named the iPhone Ultra.

The findings confirm that the base new iPhone 18 and the thin iPhone Air 2 will not hit store shelves until next spring.

Rising component costs force higher price tags on buyers this fall.

Shortages in consumer DRAM memory chips pushed component expenses up across the supply chain.

Supply chain estimates indicate that memory chips inside the iPhone 18 Pro cost $150 more per device than previous generations.

Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged the pricing pressures during a press interview.

"Price increases are unavoidable," Cook told the Wall Street Journal.

Financial reports from 9to5Mac and Wall Street analysis show the base iPhone 18 Pro starting at $1,399. That figure represents a $300 jump over last year’s flagship starting price.

Production lines at primary manufacturing partner Foxconn operate at full capacity in Henan, China, to meet a projected mid-September rollout.

Under the hood, the iPhone 18 Pro models carry Apple's new A20 Pro processor.

Built on TSMC's 2-nanometer manufacturing process, the processor yields 15% faster computing speeds and lowers energy consumption by 30%.

Apple standardizes memory at 12GB RAM across all Pro variants to support real-time processing for Siri AI.

The physical design includes several direct hardware updates.

Front display cutouts show a Dynamic Island that measures 35% narrower than existing models. The rear casing features a single unified glass back that replaces the dual-tone finish used on older generations.

Engineers also redesigned the primary camera module.

Apple is testing a physical variable-aperture mechanism on the 48-megapixel main camera.

The aperture system adjusts the physical lens opening to alter light intake and depth of field in low-light environments.

Battery capacity increases on the top model. Internal filings list a 5,000mAh battery for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, making the chassis slightly thicker. Wireless hardware upgrades include Apple's custom C2 cellular modem, an N2 Wi-Fi chip, and expanded satellite communications that support direct data transfers beyond emergency messaging.

The foldable iPhone Ultra features a 5.5-inch outer cover display and opens into a 7.8-inch panel. Internal diagrams show a dual-camera setup on the back panel and a Touch ID sensor embedded in the side power button.

Color options for the flagship tier include silver, dark gray, light blue, and a new dark cherry finish.

Alongside the phones, the software leak detailed camera-equipped AirPods that work with visual context tools and a tabletop Home Hub display running homeOS under project name J490.

Assembly plants continue mass production ahead of Apple’s planned launch event in the second week of September.