BENGALURU, Jan 30, 2026, 19:05 (IST)
Apple (AAPL.O) is prioritising production and shipment of its three highest-end iPhone models for a second-half 2026 launch — including its first foldable device — while delaying the standard iPhone 18 until the first half of 2027, Nikkei Asia reported on Friday, citing four people with knowledge of the matter. The shift reflects a marketing strategy change and supply-chain constraints, the report said. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and Reuters could not independently verify the report. (Reuters)
A staggered iPhone rollout would mark a break from Apple’s usual annual rhythm and could ripple across the component chain that typically gears up for a single big launch window. It also underlines how scarce parts — especially memory — are starting to shape product calendars, not just pricing.
The report lands just after Apple flagged supply strain despite strong results. The company forecast March-quarter revenue growth of 13% to 16% and posted iPhone revenue of $85.27 billion in the holiday quarter, with CEO Tim Cook telling Reuters demand for the latest phones was “staggering.” Cook also said rising DRAM — the working memory used in phones — would have “a bit more” impact on gross margin, a measure of profit after production costs, in the current quarter. eMarketer analyst Jacob Bourne said the memory shortage could pressure hardware margins and make services momentum “even more vital.” (Reuters)
MacRumors said the Nikkei account adds weight to earlier reporting from The Information and Bloomberg, along with commentary from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. It said Apple would likely pair the foldable iPhone with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in the second half of 2026, while the standard model would wait until early 2027, and noted Apple has not confirmed any change to its release schedule. (MacRumors)
On Apple’s earnings call, Cook pointed to constraints tied to “advanced nodes” — the newest chipmaking processes — used for Apple’s iPhone system-on-a-chip, or SoC, the main processor that runs the device. He said Apple was “currently constrained” and that memory had a “minimal impact” on gross margin in the December quarter, but would bite more in the March quarter as prices climb. (Investing)
Memory makers have been blunt about why supply is tight. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which together control about two-thirds of the DRAM market, have warned that PC and smartphone companies will feel the squeeze as production shifts toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM) used in AI servers, where margins are higher. SK Hynix’s Park Joon Deok told analysts customers were “having difficulties securing memory supplies,” while a Samsung mobile executive described 2026 as a “challenging year.” (Reuters)
India Today, also citing the Nikkei report, said the delay reflects a broader memory-chip shortage and supply chain pressure as Apple juggles the added complexity of bringing a foldable phone to mass production. It quoted a supplier executive saying “supply chain smoothness” was a key challenge and that marketing changes also played into the decision to prioritise premium models. (India Today)
If Apple does ship a foldable iPhone in 2026, it will walk into a foldable market where rivals such as Samsung already have several generations of devices. A delayed standard iPhone, though, could leave a longer gap at the mainstream end of Apple’s lineup if competitors push hard on price or features.
But the plan could still wobble. Foldables are tougher to build at scale — hinges, screens and thin batteries can drag down “yield,” the share of parts that pass quality checks — and even small manufacturing snags can cascade into delays. If memory prices cool or supply loosens, Apple may decide the old schedule is simpler.
For now, the Nikkei report remains unconfirmed, even as Apple and its suppliers point to tightening memory supply and higher costs heading into 2026. The next few quarters will show whether Apple can turn demand into shipped phones — and whether the premium-first approach becomes the new normal.
