iPhone manufacturer says base iPhone 18 won't launch until 2027

Rumors of a split iPhone 18 launch have been circulating for months, with the high-end Pro models expected to arrive in September and the standard version reportedly following in early 2027. Now, those reports have received what is essentially official confirmation.

Taiwanese contract manufacturer Pegatron said during its Q2 2026 earnings call that its customers are changing their shipment schedules amid ongoing shortages of memory and other chips. Pegatron now expects the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models to launch as usual in September, while the standard iPhone 18 is expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2027.

The unusual launch schedule is reportedly linked to two supply-chain problems: bottlenecks in semiconductor manufacturing and structural shortages of key components. It was previously reported that, due to the memory shortage, TSMC is unable to complete production of system-on-chip (SoC) components for future iPhones. As a result, the company has reportedly accumulated a large number of chips awaiting packaging, worth approximately $1 billion.

Pegatron says customers are therefore being forced to make strategic decisions about how to allocate scarce components. Higher-margin iPhone 18 Pro models are reportedly being prioritized, allowing Apple to maintain its traditional September launch schedule for its most expensive iPhones while delaying the standard models.

The company also expects the global smartphone market to remain under pressure as a result of the shortages. Pegatron said its smartphone shipments could decline slightly this year, although it expects consumer demand itself to remain intact. The company believes the issue is primarily one of supply rather than a disappearance of demand. Pegatron expects the memory shortage to remain a problem for some time, with supply and demand potentially not returning to balance until 2028.

If the reported schedule holds, Apple would break with its long-standing practice of launching standard and Pro iPhone models together. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max would arrive in September, while the standard iPhone 18 could follow several months later in early 2027.