Apple to Delay Base iPhone 18 to 2027 Amid Foldable Launch Plans

Apple is reportedly restructuring its iPhone release schedule to accommodate the launch of its first foldable model in fall 2026. According to The Information, only premium models such as the iPhone 18 Pro and a new ‘Air’ variant will be released in 2026. The standard iPhone 18 will be delayed until spring 2027 and released alongside a successor to the iPhone 16E. This change aims to manage an increasingly complex six-model iPhone lineup. The foldable iPhone will adopt a book-style design, featuring a 5.7-inch screen when closed and nearly 8 inches when open. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously noted that the device could measure just 4.5 to 4.8 mm thick when unfolded and will include Face ID. Additional updates include under-display Face ID for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, reducing visible camera cutouts, and a new battery case for the iPhone 17 Air due to expected shorter battery life. The move signals Apple’s continued innovation in form factors while responding to logistical and performance constraints in its product lineup.