Apple’s decision to split the iPhone 18 lineup has shaped market expectations, with the base model now widely anticipated in spring 2027 rather than fall 2026. At its September 9 “Surprise and Shine” event, Apple unveiled only the higher-margin iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Duo, confirming earlier reports from Bloomberg and Mark Gurman that the standard iPhone 18, 18e, and Air 2 would follow later. This approach aims to smooth revenue, ease supply constraints on 2nm A20 chips, and reduce internal model overlap. Traders are monitoring Q1 2027 launch windows and any supply-chain updates that could accelerate or delay the base model’s debut.