Apple is widely believed to be shaking up its iPhone launch strategy for its next generation of flagship devices.
Instead of sticking to the company's usual September time frame when it typically unveils its latest iPhone series, Apple is expected to adopt a split-launch annual cycle.
This means come September, Apple will likely reveal the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, potentially alongside a rumored new high-end foldable iPhone.
So where does the standard model come in -- the successor to the regular iPhone 17? Reports suggest that it won't make an appearance at all in the fall.
Rather, Apple will hold over the iPhone 18 until the spring of 2027, with a launch event potentially happening around March, when the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2 could also make an appearance.
In other words, if you typically buy a standard iPhone model, you won't be able to get a new one in the fall, because Apple is saving its less expensive iPhone models for early next year.
The standard iPhone 18 model isn't expected to feature design changes, but it could adopt Apple's upcoming 2-nanometer A20 chip. The standard iPhone 18 could also be upgraded to 12GB RAM, bringing it into alignment with the current iPhone Pro models. There may be an improved display for the iPhone 18, too.
Otherwise though, we aren't anticipating major changes. If you already own an iPhone 17, the next generation may turn out to be the one to skip.
