The standard iPhone is expected to skip 2026 and arrive in early 2027

What this is made of

• One account says Apple is exploring selling the Air 2 as the iPhone 18 at $999

  The X account Early Apple says Apple is exploring dropping the separate standard iPhone 18 and selling the Air 2 under that name at $999 next spring. MacRumors and AppleInsider both call the source unproven and the timing unlikely.

• The standard model is reported for early 2027 rather than September

  The Information first reported a spring 2027 launch, and later reports from Ming-Chi Kuo, Economic Daily News and United Daily News placed the standard iPhone 18 in the first quarter of 2027.

• The price is expected to stay at $799 despite component downgrades

  DigiTimes reported a $799 starting price, while MacRumors reports said Apple was cutting manufacturing, display and chip costs rather than raising the base price.