Apple to Split iPhone Launches Starting 2026, Base Models to Arrive Separately in Spring

By Mehtab Ansari • Updated On 5 May 2025

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TL; DR

Starting 2026, Apple will split iPhone launches: Pro, Pro Max, Air, and foldables in fall; base and e models in spring.
This change aims to better compete with Chinese brands and give base models more visibility.
The new schedule starts with iPhone 17e in spring 2026, and iPhone 18 base in spring 2027, continuing annually.

Apple is said to revamp its iPhone release schedule starting in 2026, breaking from a decade-long tradition of unveiling all flagship models in the fall. According to industry insights, the tech giant will stagger its launches, with premium iPhone 18 Pro models debuting in autumn 2026 and the base iPhone 18 following in spring 2027, a move aimed at sharpening its competitive edge and streamlining production.

Apple to follow a bi-annually release plan

Kuo outlines that 2025 will follow the usual schedule, with the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone 17 Air (also referred to as iPhone 17 Slim) launching in the second half, likely September. However, 2026 marks a shift: the iPhone 17e, successor to the iPhone 16e unveiled in February 2025, will launch in spring 2026, possibly March or April.

Later that year, in fall 2026, Apple will release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18 Air, and its first foldable iPhone. Notably, the base iPhone 18 will launch in spring 2027 alongside the iPhone 18e, six months after the Pro models; a first for Apple’s base models.

Fall: Pro, Pro Max, Air, foldable iPhones.
Spring: base and e iPhones.

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Why is Apple doing this?

The staggered schedule aims to address intense competition, particularly in China, where many rivals launch flagships in spring. By aligning base model releases with competitors, Apple seeks to capture market attention more effectively. The increasing variety of iPhone models, including the iPhone 16e line and upcoming foldables, also risks diluting marketing efforts if launched simultaneously in fall.

Spreading releases across the year allows base models like the iPhone 18 to stand out, avoiding being overshadowed by Pro variants. This strategy will continue into 2027, with the iPhone 19 Pro, iPhone 19 Pro Max, iPhone 19 Air, and a second-generation foldable launching in fall, followed by the base iPhone 19 and iPhone 19e in 2028.

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For customers, it means longer wait times for the most affordable versions, but potentially more focused attention on each product. As Apple faces mounting pressure in markets like China and India, this adjusted schedule could be its way of staying competitive year-round, not just in the fall.

Apple’s new biannual release strategy could possibly enhance its market presence by aligning with competitor timelines and giving base models more visibility. However, the six-month gap between Pro and base models might affect consumer perceptions. What are your thoughts on Apple’s revamped iPhone launch schedule—will it strengthen its position? Let us know in the comments below.

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Mehtab Ansari

Mehtab Ansari is the Assistant Editor – Features & Reviews at Smartprix, where he writes about smartphones, laptops, audio gear, and everything in between. A computer science student by degree but a tech nerd by heart, he’s been into consumer tech for years and started reviewing products professionally in February 2024. He’s especially into photography and audio, often spending more time testing a smartphone’s camera than he probably should. For him, tech isn’t just work, it’s what he’s always thinking about.

Expertise

Smartphones, laptops, tablets, monitors, smartwatches, photography, and audio gear. I’ve reviewed over 60 products across these categories on Smartprix in the past year and a half.

Education - Bachelor of Computer Applications – Nizam College, Hyderabad (2022–2025) | Joined Smartprix -February 2024 | Published Reviews & Stories - 723

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