All signs point to 2026 being the first year in nearly two decades that Apple will not release a new "budget" iPhone in its main series . The company will continue to offer existing models but will forgo launching a base iPhone 18 that year, something unprecedented since the first iPhone was released in 2007.
The latest reports and leaks from analysts and specialized media all agree on the same idea: Apple wants to fragment the iPhone 18 release schedule , prioritizing the Pro models and leaving the generational replacement of the standard model and the more affordable versions for later, which would leave 2026 without that "everyone's" iPhone 18.
A historic change in the iPhone calendar
For years, Apple's plan has been almost Swiss-watch precision: unveiling new iPhones in September and their arrival in stores a few weeks later , usually with the entire range available at the same time. Only the 2020 pandemic slightly altered this rhythm, staggering the release of a few models throughout the fall.
The current situation, however, seems different. Various industry sources, cited by outlets such as MacRumors and European tech press, indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will still be released in September 2026 , but the base model will be excluded from that event. In other words, there wouldn't be a new standard iPhone 18 on store shelves throughout 2026.
In practice, this will mean that the current "regular" iPhone 17 will remain the entry-level model in the main lineup for more than 18 months . It would be the first time Apple has gone a full year without updating the standard iPhone, completely breaking the annual cycle that both the market and consumers had become accustomed to.
Furthermore, this shift would not be a one-off: rumors suggest a change in strategy intended to be ongoing , planned for the coming years and not as a simple isolated adjustment for 2026, which opens the door to a new, more spaced-out update schedule for non-Pro models.
Behind the scenes, analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo and specialized journalists suggest that Apple is looking to adapt its product cycles to an increasingly saturated market , in which more iPhone models, foldable devices, and discounted versions of previous generations will coexist.
What we will see in 2026: Pro, foldable and mid-range
The fact that there won't be a cheap iPhone 18 doesn't mean 2026 will be a quiet year for Apple; quite the opposite. Leaks point to the fall of 2026 as the key moment for the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max , which will continue to set the technological benchmark within the lineup.
Alongside them, the first foldable iPhone is expected to share the stage , a device that would compete against the foldable Android phones that have been gaining popularity in Europe for years. This model would feature an internal screen of around 7,7 inches and an external panel of approximately 5,3 inches, with a design free of notches or islands, thanks to cameras and sensors hidden beneath the panel.
The idea would be to strengthen the high-end segment of the product line, focusing media attention on the more expensive models. Apple would thus prioritize profit margins and prevent the more affordable models from stealing sales from the Pro line during the first few months after launch, something the company has been closely monitoring.
Meanwhile, 2026 should also bring new additions to the mid-range, with the arrival of the iPhone 17e as the successor to the current budget model . This device would fill the "cheapest iPhone" slot in the lineup, but it wouldn't be part of the 18 series, reinforcing the idea that there won't be a base iPhone 18 or a new-generation 18e that year.
In short, the strategy involves filling 2026 with hardware but without launching a new, affordable iPhone 18 , leaving that role to the 17 and 17e, while attention is focused on the Pro models and the launch of the foldable phone.
The affordable iPhone 18 is delayed until 2027: base model, 18e, and new Air.
The most reliable reports indicate that the arrival of the standard iPhone 18 will be postponed until spring 2027. This means Apple isn't canceling the model, but rather delaying its release and deliberately disrupting the synchronization with the Pro models.
That same period in early 2027 would also be the time chosen to unveil the iPhone 18e, the most affordable version , and the second generation of a rumored ultralight iPhone Air , which has been circulating for months. This way, the "more affordable" models would be grouped in a separate window from the Pro models.
This staggered launch would result in a schedule with two strong peaks of media attention separated by about six months : first, the most expensive and advanced devices; then, phones aimed at a wider audience and those looking for somewhat more affordable prices.
The direct consequence for users is that anyone wanting a new iPhone 18 without going through the Pro range will have to wait considerably longer than usual , something that may affect those in Spain and Europe who usually renew their mobile every two years right when the base model comes out.
This also opens up a scenario where discounted previous-generation models gain traction . Throughout 2026, Apple and carriers are expected to invest heavily in maintaining the appeal of the iPhone 17 and 17e through discounts, promotional plans, and upgrade programs, taking advantage of the fact that there won't be a directly competing, low-cost iPhone 18.
Reasons: marketing, sales, and a constantly growing catalog
Beyond the specific rumors, the move fits with a broader trend: Apple wants to stop concentrating almost all of its iPhone business in a single quarter , the fall quarter, which until now has concentrated a huge peak in revenue and a strong pressure on supply chain, logistics and marketing.
Splitting the iPhone 18 family into two batches would allow the company to better distribute sales throughout the year and garner more media attention , with two major launch events instead of just one. In a highly competitive European market accustomed to constant releases from Asian competitors, this also helps Apple regain its prominence more than once a year.
Another key point concerns cannibalization between models . By separating the Pro and standard versions, the first few months are reserved for customers who typically go straight for the more expensive models, while the later arrival of the base iPhone 18 and 18e gives those who prioritize price a break, without overlapping purchase decisions as much.
Furthermore, Apple's product catalog is growing to unprecedented levels . New iPads, Macs with M5 and M6 chips, updated Apple Watches, a foldable iPhone, home accessories, and even potential new generations of AirPods and HomePod are expected in 2026 and 2027. Sticking to the old iPhone release schedule, with everything concentrated in September, is becoming increasingly incompatible with this reality.
In this context, forgoing a cheap iPhone 18 in 2026 becomes another piece of a general reorganization that affects the entire ecosystem, and not just phones.
The technical aspect: a more ambitious and difficult standard to manufacture
There are also technological reasons behind the delay of the base iPhone 18. Several sources indicate that Apple is preparing a major redesign of the standard model with a virtually "clean" screen , without a notch or visible island, and with Face ID and the front camera integrated under the OLED panel.
These types of under-display solutions require more complex panels with very tight tolerances , which is causing problems in the supply chain. Manufacturers like BOE, one of Apple's suppliers, have reportedly had difficulty meeting the required quality standards for the new advanced panels.
To avoid launching a product that does not meet its standards, Apple reportedly opted to shift orders to more experienced suppliers such as Samsung Display and LG Display , thus reorganizing production times and, consequently, the launch schedule for the base model.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max would remain at the forefront of innovation, with rumors of 2-nanometer chips , cameras with variable aperture, battery improvements and new connectivity capabilities , but maintaining a somewhat more conservative design in screen sizes and formats.
The general feeling is that the standard iPhone 18 could take a bigger leap than usual compared to its predecessor , which would explain why Apple is taking more time and accepting the cost of leaving 2026 without a new cheap model numbered 18.
All this activity paints an unusual picture for the user: 2026 will be the year of the iPhone 18 Pro and the first foldable iPhone, but anyone hoping for a budget-friendly or base iPhone 18 will have to wait until at least spring 2027. Until then, the role of "affordable iPhone" will fall to the 17 generation and the e models, while Apple tests a more flexible timeline and reserves more time to refine the technologies it wants to debut in the next standard model.
