Apple did not introduce the base iPhone 18 at its fall launch event. The “Surprise and shine” event saw the announcement of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, along with the new foldable iPhone Duo; the iPhone 18 was not introduced. Rumors had suggested that the base model would be delayed until next spring.
Instead of a new model, the company raised the prices of the existing iPhone 17 models by $100. The iPhone 16, which remains on sale, also increased by $100 from last week, returning to its initial price of $799. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max were also priced $100 higher than the previous models.
Memory and chip shortages may have played a role in delaying the base iPhone 18, while Apple was said to have prioritized more expensive models with higher profit margins. The new iPhone Air and the more affordable iPhone 18E are expected to launch in the first quarter of next year, around the same time as the base iPhone 18.
Why it matters
This development highlights the growing separation between the base model and higher-end devices in Apple’s product lineup. Memory and chip shortages, along with the strategy of prioritizing models that provide higher profit margins, stand out as possible reasons behind the delay; however, it remains unclear which one was decisive. Price increases for existing models are also changing the cost consumers waiting for a new device will face as they weigh their options. Although more affordable options are expected in the first quarter for those seeking a lower-priced model, the date when the base model will go on sale and how these models will be positioned during the same period remain open questions.
Background
Apple is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we have published 50 articles mentioning this name in the last 90 days; the most recent is dated September 13, 2026.