Apple has split its iPhone 18 lineup, releasing the premium iPhone 18 Pro models and foldable iPhone Duo at its September 2026 event while skipping the base model entirely. Recent reporting from MacRumors, The Verge, and Bloomberg attributes the delay to memory and chip shortages that prompted Apple to prioritize higher-margin devices and raise prices on iPhone 17 and 16 inventory. The standard iPhone 18, along with an iPhone 18e and potential iPhone Air 2, is now widely expected in spring 2027—likely February or March—following the pattern of prior “E” series launches. Traders should monitor Apple’s supply chain updates and any Q1 2027 event signals, as these factors directly influence resolution timing for release-by-date markets.