Apple may be preparing to change its usual release calendar for the next generation of premium iPhones, according to a new report from Forbes. The report suggests the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could arrive later than the traditional September window, with the company weighing a shift in its key launch schedule.
Forbes reports that Apple is considering moving the iPhone 18 Pro event to a later date than usual. The report does not specify an exact new timeframe, but it indicates the change would affect the Pro models specifically. Other outlets, including TechRepublic, have separately reported that Apple might delay the entire iPhone 18 lineup until 2027, with the premium models getting a fall launch in 2026 instead. That would mark a significant departure from Apple’s long-standing pattern of unveiling new iPhones in September.
The reports come amid broader speculation about Apple’s upcoming product cycle. MacRumors has noted that September events are still expected to include new iPhones and Apple Watches, but the exact lineup remains unclear. Macworld has also described Apple’s next iPhone event as one packed with intrigue, suggesting that the company may have more than one surprise in store.
If the Forbes report is accurate, it would not be the first time Apple has adjusted its release schedule. The company has previously staggered launches for certain models due to supply chain issues or production constraints. However, a deliberate shift in the Pro lineup’s timing would be a more strategic move, potentially aimed at separating the release of standard and premium models.
What to watch next: whether Apple confirms a revised date for its fall event, and whether the base iPhone 18 models follow a different timeline than the Pro versions.
