Recent reports indicate that Apple may deviate from its traditional fall release cycle for the iPhone 18 series. According to information cited by MacRumors from an Economic Daily News report, executives at Apple supplier Pegatron suggested during an earnings call that the iPhone 18 Pro models are slated for a fall launch, while the standard iPhone 18 may not be released until the first quarter of the following year.

In addition to the standard and Pro models, industry rumors suggest that Apple is preparing to introduce an "iPhone 18e" and a new "iPhone Air" model. These devices are expected to follow a similar release timeline to the base iPhone 18, arriving in early 2027. These reports align with long-standing industry speculation regarding Apple's future product roadmap, which has been discussed by analysts such as Ming-Chi Kuo and news outlets like The Information for over a year.

While the reports from Pegatron executives provide a potential glimpse into Apple's manufacturing schedule, it is important to note that Apple has not officially confirmed these release dates. The company typically maintains a strict schedule for its flagship hardware, and any move to split the launch of a single generation would represent a significant change in strategy. The reports currently rely on third-party supplier commentary and analyst projections rather than direct statements from Apple leadership.