Overview
- Nikkei Asia, citing supplier sources, reports Apple plans to ship iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026, with the standard iPhone 18 now targeted for the first half of 2027.
- The shift is described as both a supply‑chain response and a marketing move to funnel scarce parts to higher‑margin devices and reduce production risk for the foldable.
- Industry reporting points to DRAM shortages and rising memory costs tied to AI demand, along with constrained advanced‑node and packaging capacity at chip suppliers such as TSMC.
- Apple is expanding its regular Apple Park supplier meeting to include more component and materials partners to bolster continuity, according to Nikkei Asia.
- Apple has not confirmed the staggered schedule, though Tim Cook acknowledged supply pressures on the earnings call, and separate reports say an updated iPhone Air is not expected this year.