Rumors of a break up iPhone 18 launch have been circulating for months, with the high-end Professional fashions anticipated to reach in September and the usual model reportedly following in early 2027. Now, these stories have obtained what is actually official affirmation.
Taiwanese contract producer Pegatron stated throughout its Q2 2026 earnings name that its prospects are altering their cargo schedules amid ongoing shortages of reminiscence and different chips. Pegatron now expects the iPhone 18 Professional and Professional Max fashions to launch as normal in September, whereas the usual iPhone 18 is predicted to reach within the first quarter of 2027.
The weird launch schedule is reportedly linked to 2 supply-chain issues: bottlenecks in semiconductor manufacturing and structural shortages of key elements. It was beforehand reported that, because of the reminiscence scarcity, TSMC is unable to finish manufacturing of system-on-chip (SoC) elements for future iPhones. Consequently, the corporate has reportedly accumulated a lot of chips awaiting packaging, value roughly $1 billion.
Pegatron says prospects are subsequently being pressured to make strategic choices about the right way to allocate scarce elements. Increased-margin iPhone 18 Pro fashions are reportedly being prioritized, permitting Apple to keep up its conventional September launch schedule for its costliest iPhones whereas delaying the usual fashions.
The corporate additionally expects the worldwide smartphone market to stay below strain because of the shortages. Pegatron stated its smartphone shipments may decline barely this yr, though it expects client demand itself to stay intact. The corporate believes the problem is primarily one in every of provide quite than a disappearance of demand. Pegatron expects the reminiscence scarcity to stay an issue for a while, with provide and demand probably not returning to stability till 2028.
If the reported schedule holds, Apple would break with its long-standing follow of launching commonplace and Professional iPhone fashions collectively. The iPhone 18 Professional and Professional Max would arrive in September, whereas the usual iPhone 18 may comply with a number of months later in early 2027.
I’ve been fascinated by computer systems, electronics and fashionable expertise since childhood. I began writing IT-news at highschool and have been doing it constantly for greater than 10 years. Throughout this time, I’ve labored for a lot of media retailers, and now I’m a information editor at 3DNews. Generally I additionally write smartphone opinions. In July 2024, I made a decision to attempt my hand at writing information on Notebookcheck. After I’m not working, I wish to play videogames, do puzzles, and journey.
