Apple's iPhone 18 launch may echo the irregular schedule of the 2020 rollout
Analysts expect Apple to hold its usual September event for the iPhone 18, but the company could stagger shipments and reduce the number of models, similar to the disruptions seen in 2020.
Apple is slated to host its annual iPhone unveiling in September, yet industry speculation suggests the rollout could diverge from the company’s typical pattern. In 2020, the iPhone launch was pushed to October and the initial shipment included only two of the four announced models, with the remaining devices arriving a month later. Sources indicate that the upcoming fall event may follow a comparable approach.
Rumors propose that only the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be available at launch, while the foldable iPhone Ultra could be announced in September but not released until several weeks afterward. Additionally, if reports that the iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 are being deferred to the following spring are accurate, the September lineup would consist of just three models, marking the smallest fall offering since 2019.
Analysts attribute the potential changes to strategic planning, ongoing global memory component shortages, and the complexities of bringing a new foldable device to market.