---
title: "Apple skips base iPhone 18 in September for the first time: standard model and iPhone 18e to arrive only in spring 2027"
description: "Apple did not present the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e at its September 2026 presentation for the first time. Both models will launch in spring 2027, while the iPhone 17 will remain on sale for about 18 months."
date: 2026-09-24T08:14:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/apple-iphone-18-and-18e-to-launch-spring-2027
tags: [apple, iphone-18, iphone-18e, foldable-iphone-duo, a20-chip, apple-strategy, ios-27]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Apple skips base iPhone 18 in September for the first time: standard model and iPhone 18e to arrive only in spring 2027

![Row of iPhone smartphones with Dynamic Island on display stands at an Apple event: base iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e not shown, launching spring 2027](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/24/apple-iphone-18-i-18e-vyiduut-tolko-vesnoy-2027/apple-iphone-18-i-18e-vyiduut-tolko-vesnoy-2027-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Apple's September 2026 presentation took place without an announcement of the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e — only the Pro, Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Duo were shown
- The standard models will launch in spring 2027 (March/April); the iPhone 17 will remain on sale for about 18 months
- Both models will feature the A20 chip on a 2-nm process; RAM capacity remains undetermined (9 or 12 GB)
- iPhone 17/17e prices have already been raised to $899/$699 due to rising DRAM and NAND memory costs
- Apple may drop the iPhone 18 name for the base model, making the iPhone Air 2 the main one

Apple's September 2026 presentation marked a turning point for the company: for the first time in the history of the iPhone lineup, neither the standard iPhone 18 nor the affordable iPhone 18e was unveiled at the autumn event. Instead of the usual trio of "base — Pro — Pro Max," the audience was shown the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the entirely new foldable iPhone Duo. This decision breaks the more-than-a-decade-old paradigm that "all iPhones launch in September" and shifts a significant portion of the product lineup to a spring release window.

### Why Apple changed its release strategy

Analysts point to several reasons why the company decided to split its launches across two seasons. First, supply chain optimization: releasing five or more models simultaneously in a single period places enormous strain on logistics and suppliers, while spreading releases across fall and spring simplifies planning. Second, focus on flagships: premium models (Pro, Pro Max, Duo) receive the maximum marketing resources and consumer interest during the key autumn period, when competition from Android flagships is at its peak. Third, the spring event creates a "second window" to boost interest in the brand lineup — including in tandem with the potential iPhone Air 2, which, according to rumors, is also being prepared for a spring launch.

### What is known about the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e hardware

Both upcoming models will feature the new base A20 chip, manufactured using a 2-nanometer process. Full processor specifications remain classified, but a 6-core CPU and a significantly accelerated Neural Engine module, designed for on-device running of artificial intelligence models, are expected. In the camera system, the key changes will affect the standard model: the iPhone 18 will get a more sensitive 24 MP selfie camera, while the budget iPhone 18e will retain a 12-megapixel front-facing module. The two models differ substantially in positioning: the iPhone 18 is the main "mainstream" smartphone of the lineup, while the 18e is a simplified version with a cheaper body and reduced features.

### Contradictory data

The greatest disagreement among analysts concerns the amount of RAM. Some sources cite 9 GB of RAM, others — 12 GB. This figure is critical, as it is the memory capacity that determines support for new iOS 27 features, in particular the updated personalized Siri voice capabilities and local dictation without cloud access. In addition, there is uncertainty about the very name of the standard model: a number of analysts believe that Apple may drop the "18" index for the base version and turn the slim iPhone Air 2 into the main "base" of the lineup, with the iPhone 18 in the conventional sense disappearing from the assortment. As of the time of writing, there is no official confirmation of any of these versions.

### Prices and market impact

The rising cost of components — in particular DRAM and NAND memory from Samsung — has already been reflected in Apple's pricing policy. The current iPhone 17 and 17e have reached starting prices of $899 and $699 respectively. The future iPhone 18 and 18e risk keeping elevated prices or increasing further by the time of their 2027 release. For buyers, this means that the intermediate iPhone 17 generation will remain on store shelves for about 18 months — a record length for Apple — which could both stimulate early purchases and deter those waiting for a "fresh" model.

### Conclusions and outlook

Pushing the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e to spring 2027 (likely March or April) is not merely a calendar shift, but a restructuring of Apple's entire marketing and production logic. The company is effectively splitting the year into two full product cycles, something previously characteristic only of the iPad and Mac segments. For the market, this means a more even distribution of demand; for competitors, a need to revisit their own timelines; and for consumers, a longer period of choice between generations. Final specifications, prices, and exact launch dates will, most likely, be revealed closer to the first half of 2027.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Budget iPhone 18e is delayed: how much it will cost and how it will differ](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/byudzhetniy-iphone-18e-zatrimuetsya-skilki-1790235985.html) - Подтверждает перенос iPhone 18e на весну 2027, рост цен до 699 $ для 17e, различия в камерах (12 МП фронтальная)
- [Premiere of the iPhone 18 Pro, Duo, and other Apple novelties. Live stream](https://www.rbc.ru/life/news/6aa1557844b2b3cd4ee2b42a) - Подтверждает состав сентябрьской презентации: Pro, Pro Max, Duo — без стандартного iPhone 18
- [Apple presentation wrap-up: foldable iPhone Duo, new Pro models, and rising prices](https://mobile-review.com/all/articles/presentation/itogi-prezentaczii-apple-skladnoj-iphone-duo-novye-pro-modeli-i-vyrosshie-czeny/) - Подтверждает отсутствие базовых моделей, рост цен, детали по складному Duo
- [Analysis: Is Apple starting a new era? Key takeaways after the autumn 2026 presentation and the reveal of ...](https://vgtimes.ru/tech-and-hardware/167077-apple-nachinaet-novuyu-epohu-glavnye-vyvody-posle-prezentacii-2026-goda.html) - Аналитический разбор стратегии Apple, упоминание чипа A20, 2-нм техпроцесса, неопределённости по RAM и названию

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Why didn't Apple show the iPhone 18 at its September 2026 presentation?
**A:** For the first time in the history of the lineup, Apple did not present the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e at the autumn event. Instead, the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Duo were shown. The standard models have been moved to spring 2027 as part of a restructuring of the production and marketing strategy.

### Q: When will the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e be released?
**A:** According to analysts, both models are expected in spring 2027 — likely in March or April. An exact date has not been announced.

### Q: What chip will the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e get?
**A:** Both models will feature the A20 chip, manufactured using a 2-nanometer process. A 6-core CPU and an accelerated Neural Engine for on-device AI are expected. Full specifications have not yet been revealed.

### Q: How much RAM will the iPhone 18 have?
**A:** The RAM capacity remains undetermined: analysts cite either 9 or 12 GB. This figure is critical for supporting new iOS 27 features, including the updated Siri voice capabilities.

### Q: Will the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e become more expensive?
**A:** Due to rising DRAM and NAND memory costs, Apple has already raised the prices of the iPhone 17 and 17e to $899 and $699. The future models risk keeping elevated prices or increasing further by spring 2027.