Apple announced the new generation of iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, and the more affordable standard version will be released later. (Photo/Apple)
At Apple’s just-concluded 2026 autumn conference, the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the first foldable flagship iPhone Duo were officially announced. However, to the surprise of many Apple fans, the standard version of the iPhone 18, which has been one of the highlights in the past, did not appear.
Foreign media pointed out that the standard version of iPhone 18 is not canceled, but is expected to be postponed to early 2027. This breaks Apple’s past practice of releasing standard and Pro series flagships at the same time in the fall. Outsiders estimate that Apple will launch another wave of new models in early 2027, which will include new models such as iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2 in addition to the standard iPhone 18.
Regarding this major change in the pace of releases, industry analysis has two main factors: First, with the addition of new models such as the first foldable iPhone Duo, Apple’s flagship lineup has further expanded. In order to avoid overcrowding at the autumn launch conference and diluting the focus of products, it is more market-effective to split the cycle into “autumn flagship” and “spring mainstream”; secondly, the market is facing the supply chain challenge of a shortage of memory components, and releasing in batches can help relieve production capacity pressure and avoid shortage of new machines. Consumers who like the standard iPhone are expected to have to wait until early 2027 to receive the official update.
As for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, they are expected to open for pre-order on September 12 and be launched on September 18. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at 44,900 yuan, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at 49,900 yuan.
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