Apple's New iPhone Release Strategy: Base Models to Launch in Spring, Six Months Before Pro Variants

Apple to Shake Up iPhone Release Calendar

Apple plans to introduce a new strategy for its iPhone releases, moving away from the long-established pattern of launching all models simultaneously in the fall. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, this change will be implemented starting in 2026.

Key Points:

• 2025: The last year of the traditional release schedule with the iPhone 17 series (including Pro and Max variants) expected to launch in September.
• 2026: Apple will debut a budget model, the iPhone 17e, in the first half of the year, likely in March or April. Later in 2026, the flagship models of the iPhone 18 series (Pro, Pro Max, Slim, and the first foldable iPhone) will be released.
• 2027: The base model iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will launch in spring, about six months after the Pro models. In late 2027, Apple will release the iPhone 19 series (Pro, Pro Max, second-generation foldable, and Slim).
• Motivations: The main reasons for this change include responding to intense competition, especially in China, and optimizing marketing efforts by spreading out releases.

This new approach aims to give each model more time to shine without being overshadowed by the higher-end Pro models.