Not too long ago, a number of reviews have claimed that Apple will probably be switching up its iPhone launch schedule starting in 2026. Beginning with the iPhone 18 lineup, we’ll have a cut up launch, with the upper finish fashions launching within the fall, and the entry-level fashions launching within the following spring.
Whereas this does really feel like a bizarre choice, it would have some noteworthy advantages for all iPhone customers.
Recap
In case you missed it, the cut up iPhone launch rumor primarily goes as follows:
- Fall 2026: iPhone 18 Air, 18 Professional/Professional Max, Foldable iPhone
- Spring 2027: iPhone 18, iPhone 18e
As an alternative of launching your entire mainline iPhone lineup in September, it’ll be cut up 6 months aside. The iPhone 17 lineup will nonetheless launch in its entirety this September, presumably marking the final regular iPhone launch 12 months. This info comes from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Wayne Ma from The Data.
Higher tech
Initially, Apple setting two separate levels for iPhone launches would require them to step issues up slightly. By spreading the bottom mannequin iPhone to a separate launch within the spring, it’ll require Apple to make the telephone extra fascinating, for 2 causes.
For one, the entry degree iPhone has at all times lived in a bizarre place. It’s nonetheless a brand new machine, but it isn’t the very best of the very best. In fact, it’s cheaper, but it surely at all times lived below the shadow of the Professional fashions, even in years the place Apple made relatively spectacular upgrades to the bottom iPhone.
Based on The Data, Apple is making this shift to reinvigorate iPhone gross sales. With the bottom iPhone being its personal separate distinct launch, I believe it’s considerably extra doubtless that we see bigger upgrades with the entry degree iPhone, particularly since Apple received’t have to be taking part in a balancing act in opposition to its personal bulletins.
On high of that, sure provide chain constraints could also be a factor of the previous. If theres a sure part that Apple wish to combine in the entire lineup, but it surely’s provide constrained, Apple will now be capable to without having to fret about having much less provide than superb.
That’s the main purpose that 120Hz ProMotion shows have been absent from the bottom iPhone for therefore lengthy. LTPO show manufacturing wasn’t in excessive sufficient volumes to position on each iPhone at launch.
At all times time to purchase
On high of higher tech, there’s a second profit: there received’t be a nasty time to purchase iPhones.
Yearly, folks purchase new iPhones within the late summer time months, like July and August, then get ridiculed by the tech-aware people of their life that the following iPhone is about to return out.
In the event that they’re shopping for the bottom iPhone, although, as a substitute of shopping for a 10-11 month outdated telephone, it’ll solely be 4-5 months outdated, and so they’ll nonetheless be lower than midway into the discharge cycle of that telephone once they buy it in the summertime time.
A number of folks purchase tech to make the most of for the long term, and generally life occurs. Two distinct iPhone launches a 12 months signifies that regardless of once you purchase your new iPhone, it’ll at most be 6 months outdated, relatively than a 12 months outdated.
Cheaper iPhones
Final however not least, this cut up iPhone launch schedule rumor does appear to counsel one factor: the brand new ‘e’ iPhone will turn into an annual launch.
Launched earlier this 12 months, iPhone 16e takes the physique of an iPhone 14 and packs it stuffed with iPhone 16 options, together with USB-C, Apple Intelligence assist, a 48MP digital camera, and extra.
Traditionally, these cheaper iPhones (beforehand iPhone SE) had a 2-4 12 months launch schedule.
With an annual launch schedule, there’ll now be extra iPhones round for these on a funds. Granted, with the iPhone 16e beginning at $599, it actually isn’t hitting the identical funds demographic that the iPhone SE did.
My favourite Apple accent suggestions:
Observe Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram
FTC: We use earnings incomes auto affiliate hyperlinks. Extra.
