Claims of big changes to the iPhone release schedule have resurfaced with a new supply chain report saying iPhone 18 — but not the Pro models — will be bumped into early 2027.
Apple has historically released its main iPhone upgrades in September, bringing out the standard models along with the Pro versions at the same time. A report claims that this won't be happening for the iPhone 18 range, as the releases will be split apart.
ETNews is claiming that Apple will be updating its schedule so that the standard model will arrive later than the rest of the group. Instead of a September launch, the standard iPhone 18 will instead be introduced in the first half of 2027.
Apple is said to be changing its lineup so that that the e-model of iPhone and the standard model will be released early in the year. The iPhone 16e was an early 2025 release and the iPhone 17e is expected to be a spring 2026 launch, so the e-model claim seems like a continuation.
There will still be four models introduced later in the year under the new schedule. This will seemingly include the Air model, both Pro and Pro Max versions, and a foldable model like the iPhone Fold.
The sources add that this will only start with the iPhone 18 generation. The iPhone 17 will still launch in the fall of 2025, with the iPhone 17e due in the spring on its own.
It's not clear if the venue has original sources, or is repeating existing rumors on the topic.
Rescheduling rumors resurface
This is not the first time we have heard about the possible reshuffle of Apple's iPhone release schedule. With a selection of six iPhones to be released each year, including the "e" model and the iPhone Fold, it's understandable for Apple to consider changing things up.
Back in May, a report cited three supply chain sources in claiming Apple will stagger its iPhone releases into a fall and spring pattern in 2026. No other specific details were said by the sources, other than the more expensive models launching first.
This was understood to mean the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max would be sold in September of that year, as well as the iPhone Fold and the Air model. As a byproduct, the standard iPhone would be booted to the following spring, joining the "e" model refresh.
Others have also covered the staggering claims, including a July posting from fairly reliable Weibo leaker Instant Digital. Earlier in 2025, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also brought up the split cadence, with the non-Pro models shifted to a spring launch.
ETNews has a reasonably good track record when it comes to supply chain stories, but less so about product particulars. Given the previous coverage about the cadence switch, the story seems a bit more plausible.
