On September 9th, Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Duo; However, the “standard” iPhone 18 was not on the list. This is not due to a delay, but to Apple’s decision to split its iPhone launch schedule into two.

Since 2007, there has been an almost unchanging pattern: Apple introduces new iPhones in September, and they all hit the shelves that same month. At the September 9th, 2026 event, this system was broken for the first time. Only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Duo were shown. The “standard” model, the iPhone 18, which many users purchased, was not seen at all.

This is not due to a production problem or a last-minute cancellation. Apple will now introduce its iPhone family in two waves per year.

What’s in store for the spring wave?

According to leaks and supply chain reports, three models will arrive in the spring of 2027:

• iPhone 18 — Standard model with A20 chip, more RAM and a smaller Dynamic Island
• iPhone 18e — Entry-level option with a more powerful chip
• iPhone Air 2 — Second generation of the slim model, larger battery and possibly a second camera

So there won’t be a new “affordable iPhone” this fall. The models remaining in this segment are the iPhone 17 (99,999 TL), iPhone 17e (72,999 TL) and iPhone 16 (85,999 TL), which saw a price increase on September 9th.

Why did Apple do this?

There are a few business logics behind the decision:

To dedicate the fall to premium products. Giving the stage entirely to Pro models and the first foldable iPhone during the peak sales period of the year, September-December, pushes the average sales price up. Just like putting a $1,199 Pro next to a $799 standard model, risks luring the user towards the cheaper option.

The product range has become too crowded. The family now spans six different lines: standard, “e”, Air, Pro, Pro Max, and foldable. Fitting all of them into a single September launch and a single production window had become difficult both in terms of presentation and logistics.

Spreading production throughout the year. Producing all models simultaneously creates a massive annual backlog in the supply chain. Two waves balance factory capacity and component procurement — a critical advantage, especially in this era of record-breaking memory prices.

Creating a second sales cycle. A spring launch provides Apple with renewed momentum to revitalize quiet quarters in the second half of the year.

There’s an additional reason for the delay of the iPhone Air 2, one of the models in the spring wave. Sales of the first iPhone Air fell short of expectations, and Apple chose to redesign the second generation rather than delay it. So the Air 2’s arrival in the spring is a result not only of the new schedule but also of the product strategy.

There’s no full September launch for the foldable model either

Even the star of the event, the iPhone Duo, won’t be on shelves in September: pre-orders start on October 16th, sales begin on October 23rd. According to Nikkei Asia’s supply chain sources, Apple is setting stricter quality standards than its Competitors for hinge performance and screen flatness, so production is slow; limited stock is expected at launch.

What does this mean for the buyer in Turkey?

In practice, there are three outcomes:

1. There are no new entry-level models this fall. For those waiting for a new, affordable iPhone, the options are to buy the current models, which have increased in price, or wait until spring.
2. For those who want a Pro, the only option is the iPhone 18 Pro.Since the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have been discontinued, there are no new devices left in the Pro segment under 137,999 TL.
3. Waiting carries a currency risk.The Turkish prices of the models in spring 2027 will be determined by the exchange rate at that time and any possible new price increases. Today’s 99,999 TL iPhone 17 may seem cheap compared to the price of the iPhone 18 coming in six months.

Whether Apple will make this system permanent will become clear in the spring of 2027. If the company gets the sales it expects from the spring launch, the “Pro in September, standard in spring” model will become the new normal for iPhone.