Apple’s standard iPhone 18 model will launch in early 2027, based on comments from a company supply chain partner that appear to corroborate rumors of a delayed spring release for the base model.
Apple typically works on an annual smartphone release cycle in which its entire latest flagship iPhone series launches in the fall, usually around mid-September. This looks set to change this year, however.
Multiple reports claim that the base iPhone 18 model will carry over until spring 2027, and only the iPhone 18 Pro models will debut this year alongside Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
Now, comments from a key Apple supplier appear to offer corroborating evidence that the company is preparing to break from its traditional launch schedule.
Speaking at Largan Precision’s annual shareholder meeting, Chairman Lin En-ping said a major U.S. customer had postponed the launch of a new model to the first quarter of 2027, shifting component supplies to later in the year and increasing planned factory utilization in the fourth quarter.
Lin didn’t identify the customer or product, but Largan is the primary supplier of Apple’s iPhone camera lenses, so the remarks are noteworthy in light of reports that the standard iPhone 18 won’t launch alongside Apple’s higher-end models this time around.
These comments are particularly noteworthy because Apple suppliers rarely offer public details about future customer product launches, even indirectly.
Apple is reportedly planning to spread future iPhone launches across two release windows. Under the new strategy, high-end models would continue to debut in September, while cheaper models would follow next spring. If accurate, the standard iPhone 18 will arrive in early 2027 alongside the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2, about six months after the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s much-rumored foldable “iPhone Ultra.”
This phased approach should help Apple manage its manufacturing resources more efficiently as its lineup grows from five to six devices, while helping to maintain sales momentum throughout the year. If implemented, it would be the first deliberate separation of Apple’s flagship iPhone releases since the company established its annual fall launch pattern with the iPhone 4S in 2011.
The standard iPhone 18 models are not expected to feature any design changes, with Apple using the same 6.3-inch screen size for the iPhone 18 and the same 6.1-inch screen size for the iPhone 18e. For everything we know so far, be sure to check out our dedicated roundup.
