2 weeks ago
iPhone 18 Base Model Delayed to 2027, Pegatron Confirms
Apple is making a new line of phones called the iPhone 18.
Usually, Apple sells all the versions of a new iPhone at the same time.
This time it will be different.
The fancier Pro phones will come out in September, just like always.
The regular iPhone 18 will not arrive until early 2027.
The reason is that the companies that build the phone parts do not have enough memory chips.
A big factory company called Pegatron told everyone about this problem.
Apple is making the more expensive Pro phones first because they earn more money.
So people who want the regular iPhone 18 will have to wait a few extra months.
Pegatron confirmed the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will launch in September, while the base iPhone 18 is pushed to the first quarter of 2027.
The delay is attributed to ongoing shortages of memory and other chip components in the supply chain.
Apple is reportedly prioritising the higher-margin iPhone 18 Pro models when allocating the limited component supply.
Pegatron expects its own smartphone shipments to decline slightly this year due to constrained supply rather than weak consumer demand.
Pegatron does not expect memory supply and demand to return to balance until 2028.
- Who
- Apple, Taiwanese contract manufacturer Pegatron, and chipmaker TSMC
- What
- The base iPhone 18 model is delayed to early 2027 while the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max stay on schedule for September
- Where
- Taiwan, home to Pegatron and TSMC, the suppliers affected by the chip and memory shortages
- When
- Confirmed during Pegatron's Q2 2026 earnings call; the base iPhone 18 is expected in the first quarter of 2027
- Why
- Ongoing shortages of memory and other chip components, including semiconductor bottlenecks, are forcing revised shipment schedules
Key facts
- Affected product
- iPhone 18 base model
- New release window
- Q1 2027
- On-schedule products
- iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max (September)
- Confirmed by
- Pegatron during Q2 2026 earnings call
- Cause of delay
- Memory and other chip component shortages
- Unpackaged chips accumulated
- Nearly $1 billion worth
- Memory supply-demand balance expected
- 2028
- Note
- Marks departure from Apple's usual practice of launching Pro and standard models together









