Apple Splits iPhone 18 Launch and Plans 2027 Anniversary Device

Apple Inc. is restructuring its product release cycle by separating the premium iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models from the standard series. The Pro models are scheduled for launch on September 12, 2026, with the iPhone 18 Pro starting at approximately $1,299, a $200 increase attributed to higher production costs. The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and a new iPhone Air will instead launch in early 2027, likely in March.

These Pro models will serve as the primary hardware for iOS 27 AI features, utilizing 12GB of memory to run large language models locally. Additionally, Apple may introduce its first foldable device, the iPhone Ultra, alongside the Pro lineup.

Looking toward 2027, the company is internally testing a special anniversary edition iPhone. This device may feature a 6.96-inch panel marketed as 7 inches, utilizing quad-curved glass for a borderless look. Rumored specifications include an A21 Pro chipset with 16GB of RAM, a 6,000mAh silicon-anode battery, solid-state buttons, and an under-display Face ID system. Other potential additions include a PalmID recognition feature and a Dynamic Bubble interface.

Economic pressures are impacting these hardware ambitions. TSMC plans to raise chipmaking prices by 5–10% starting in January 2027. CEO Tim Cook has described recent price increases across the product line as "unavoidable," and estimates suggest the 2027 anniversary device could start above $1,400.