Pegatron confirms Apple iPhone 18 base model delayed to early 2027

Apple is reportedly restructuring its product release schedule for the iPhone 18 series, with the base model postponed until the first quarter of 2027. The decision comes as supplier Pegatron confirmed during an earnings call that the company will focus on launching high-end devices this autumn, while entry-level variants are shifted to the following year.

According to details from an Economic Daily News report, which was first highlighted by MacRumors, Pegatron executives stated that the iPhone 18 Pro series is on track for an autumn launch. Alongside the Pro models, Apple’s rumored “Ultra” foldable device is also expected to debut in the same window. However, the base iPhone 18, the more affordable iPhone 18e, and the new iPhone Air are now anticipated to arrive in early 2027.

Pegatron executives attributed the scheduling changes to ongoing memory and chip shortages. These supply chain constraints have forced manufacturers to alter peak shipping seasons, leading to a strategic pivot where customers like Apple are prioritising higher-margin premium models to optimise production capacity.

The confirmation aligns with previous market analysis regarding Apple’s product strategy. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and The Information reported last year that Apple intended to launch only premium iPhones in the autumn of 2026. Additionally, earlier this year, another Apple supplier indicated that one of its clients was delaying a phone launch to early 2027, further supporting the current reports.

While the delay of the base iPhone 18 appears to be confirmed through supplier communications, details regarding the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air remain based on rumours. The specific impact of these supply chain bottlenecks on final production volumes for the delayed models has not yet been quantified by the manufacturer.