Base iPhone 18 pushed to spring 2027, with Samsung among the reported causes
Market
This comes from market reports and sources, not an official statement from the maker.
Reports say Apple delayed the standard iPhone 18 to spring 2027 while the Pro models and its first foldable launched this fall, with the switch to Samsung camera sensors cited as one reason.
- Base iPhone 18 moved to spring 2027; Pro models and Duo launched this fall
- Semiconportal says Samsung is one cause, relayed by Notebookcheck and Android Headlines
- Sony camera sensor contract ended, with Apple switching to Samsung
- Prototyping began spring 2026, mass production fall 2026 in Austin, Texas
- Soaring memory prices and supply difficulty also cited
- iPhone 17 now: 74,489 EGP in Egypt, 3,617 SAR in Saudi Arabia, 3,399 AED in the UAE
Apple chose not to launch the full iPhone 18 lineup this year. The standard iPhone 18 was pushed to next spring (2027), while the iPhone 18 Pro models and Apple's first foldable iPhone, the Duo, launched this fall. According to Japanese publication Semiconportal, as relayed by Notebookcheck and Android Headlines (via SamMobile), Samsung is one reason behind the delay.
Per those reports, Apple's long-running camera sensor contract with Sony ended this year, prompting a switch to Samsung as a sensor supplier. Prototyping of Samsung's new iPhone camera sensors began in spring 2026, pushing mass production to fall 2026. Samsung is said to build the sensors (48MP or 200MP) at its semiconductor factory in Austin, Texas, supporting Apple's American Manufacturing Program.
Soaring memory prices and difficulty maintaining consistent supply were also cited as major contributing factors. Staggering the launch is said to give Apple time to build sufficient supply of the base iPhone 18 before opening orders, and splitting the usual September lineup let it focus on higher-priced devices that sell in smaller volumes, easing early part shortages.
Adding Samsung as a second supplier reportedly ends Sony's long-standing grip on iPhone camera hardware and gives Apple leverage to keep part prices lower over time. No official price or availability for the base iPhone 18 was announced in these reports.
In Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the current iPhone 17 is on sale now: 74,489 EGP at B.TECH in Egypt, 3,617 SAR at Amazon.sa in Saudi Arabia and 3,399 AED at Amazon.ae in the UAE. Since the base iPhone 18 has not launched and has no announced price, buyers who need a phone now have the iPhone 17 at a known store price, while those who can wait may get upgraded camera hardware in the standard model later; MobiArabia will add store prices when they are announced.
