Apple’s decision to skip the base iPhone 18 at its September 2026 event, instead launching only the iPhone 18 Pro models and foldable iPhone Duo, has anchored trader expectations around a spring 2027 release. Supply constraints, memory and chip shortages, and a strategic shift toward higher-margin premium devices prompted the split timeline, while the strong sales performance of the prior iPhone 17 standard model encouraged Apple to prepare a large production run. A credible October 14 leak indicated manufacturing for the standard iPhone 18, featuring an A20 chip and smaller Dynamic Island, is slated to begin in late November 2026, providing several months of inventory ahead of a spring unveiling alongside the iPhone 18e. This positions the market around the exact spring window and any potential last-minute delays.