![\"Apple](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778244502_885_0x0.jpg\")
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Apple iPhone 17<\/p>\n
David Phelan<\/p>\n
Apple won\u2019t be releasing the iPhone 18 this year, multiple reports have said. Now, a serial leaker has an explanation why. To be clear, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are believed to be on schedule for release in September \u2014 it\u2019s the regular iPhone which won\u2019t make the cut.<\/p>\n
ForbesHere\u2019s When Apple Will Launch iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max And iPhone UltraBy David Phelan<\/a><\/p>\n Instead, reports say, the iPhone 18 will be released in spring 2027, possibly alongside the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2. <\/p>\n A “Clever Market Adjustment”<\/p>\n The first rumors of the new schedule, which is unprecedented, after all, were met with surprise, to say the least, though since it\u2019s thought this fall will see the release of the first folding iPhone, possibly called the iPhone Ultra, there seemed to be a sense in not flooding the market with new models. <\/p>\n In posts on Weibo, serial leaker Fixed Focus Digital reported on what may be Apple\u2019s thinking. \u201cA very clever market adjustment mechanism is in place,\u201d the leaker began.<\/p>\n Apple iPhone 17 in sage finish<\/p>\n David Phelan<\/p>\n \u201cApple proactively chose to delay its release, extending the market buzz of the previous generation. This reduces production costs and increases market share,\u201d they went on. <\/p>\n I see the logic in this, though it\u2019s worth noting that Counterpoint Research<\/a> said on May 4, 2026 that the iPhone 17 \u201cwas the world\u2019s best-selling smartphone in Q1 2026, capturing 6% of global unit sales,\u201d with iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro in second and third positions.<\/p>\n Supply Chain Concerns<\/p>\n Global supply issues may be a factor as well. \u201cBy extending the \u200ciPhone 17\u200c’s production cycle and launching a large-scale manufacturing ramp, Apple is said to be using the additional time to let the \u200ciPhone 17\u200c consolidate market share at the mainstream price tier before its downgraded successor arrives,\u201d MacRumors<\/a> said.<\/p>\n That last comment refers to the expectation that the iPhone 18 will have downgraded components compared to the current model, though I must say I don\u2019t really follow this. If the iPhone 18 comes even later, won\u2019t it look like even more of a downgrade? Time will tell.<\/p>\n