Apple is set to split the release of its iPhone 18 lineup into two distinct phases beginning in 2026, according to a report by The Information

The tech giant reportedly plans to launch the premium iPhone 18 Pro models in the fall of 2026, while delaying the release of the more affordable standard iPhone 18 and a new version of the iPhone 16e until the spring of 2027. A foldable iPhone could also debut alongside the Pro models in fall 2026, the report said.

Meanwhile, Apple is expected to introduce a slimmer smartphone—rumoured to be called the “iPhone 17 Air”—later this year, with a follow-up version likely in 2026.

In a strategic shift aimed at reducing its dependence on Chinese manufacturing, Apple is also considering producing the lower-cost iPhone 18 models in India. The move comes as the company navigates ongoing U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made goods, which continue to affect its profit margins.