Apple’s September 2026 “Surprise and shine” event confirmed the split iPhone 18 lineup, with only the 18 Pro, Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Duo announced while the base model was omitted. Memory and chip shortages prompted Apple to prioritize higher-margin premium devices, raising prices across the iPhone 17 and 18 Pro lines by $100. This aligns with earlier reports from Mark Gurman and others outlining a shift toward steadier revenue and reduced manufacturing strain. The standard iPhone 18, expected with an A20 chip and smaller Dynamic Island, now targets a spring 2027 debut alongside the iPhone 18e and Air 2, creating clear resolution thresholds for traders around early 2027 launch windows.