Apple to launch iPhone 18 Pro as sole flagship model this fall

Apple is slated to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro in the coming weeks, and the company appears set to forgo a base iPhone 18 model this year. Reports indicate that the regular iPhone 18 and a rumored iPhone Air 2 have been delayed until early 2027, leaving a fall lineup that includes only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and an iPhone Ultra.

Because the standard iPhone 18 will not be released, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to serve as Apple’s default new model for the season. Consumers seeking lower-priced options may still purchase the previous generation iPhone 17, iPhone 17e or iPhone Air, but marketing materials for the upcoming holiday period are likely to highlight the Pro variants rather than a base iPhone 18.

Analysts note that the iPhone Ultra will target a niche market due to its higher price, leaving most buyers with the choice between the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The shift could affect upgrade cycles, as some users might postpone replacing their devices without a traditional base model available.

The impact of Apple’s revised strategy will become clearer after the launch and subsequent sales data become available.