Apple once again rumored to skip iPhone 18 launch in 2026

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series in September 2025, and per recent reports, there will be a notable change in the lineup. The current Plus variant will seemingly be replaced by a new Air model, and as for 2026, a new report once again suggests that there won't be a base iPhone 18.

This new report comes from ETNews, and citing industry sources, the Korean outlet reports that Apple doesn't plan to offer a base iPhone 18 in 2026. Instead, the reported 2026 lineup will consist of Air, Pro, Pro Max, and a foldable phone, which would be a first from the company.

Instead of a base iPhone 18, the company will reportedly launch the iPhone 17e in spring 2026, which would stand as an entry-level model for next year. ETNews further reports that the base iPhone 18 will launch alongside the 18e in spring 2027, which will be followed by newer foldable and premium models later.

Of course, this isn't the first time the base iPhone 18 is reported to miss out on a 2026 launch, as previous rumors from different sources have suggested the same. This restructured launch schedule is seemingly meant to boost the sales of Pro models, and it's also thought to be a strategic move to improve the overall iPhone sales in the first half of the year.

However, it's yet to be seen whether or not these moves, if Apple is actually planning to go forward with them, will confuse buyers in 2026 and the coming years.