Apple did not launch a standard iPhone 18 at its September 2026 event. Instead, it introduced the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and foldable iPhone Duo, leaving buyers without a new lower-priced base model this fall.
At the same time, Apple raised the US starting prices of every older iPhone it continues to sell by $100. The iPhone 16 returned to $799, the iPhone 17e moved to $699, the iPhone 17 to $899 and the iPhone Air to $1,099.
Apple has not said the base iPhone 18 is cancelled. Reports indicate it may arrive in spring 2027, but that timing remains unconfirmed until Apple announces the product.
Current US iPhone prices after the event
| Model | Previous starting price | New starting price | Change | |---|---:|---:|---:| | iPhone 16 | $699 | $799 | +$100 | | iPhone 17e, 256GB | $599 | $699 | +$100 | | iPhone 17 | $799 | $899 | +$100 | | iPhone Air | $999 | $1,099 | +$100 | | iPhone 18 Pro, 256GB | New model | $1,199 | — | | iPhone 18 Pro Max, 256GB | New model | $1,299 | — | | iPhone Duo, 256GB | New model | $1,999 | — |
These are Apple US starting prices and generally exclude state sales tax. Prices, storage and discontinued models differ by country, so buyers should not apply the US table directly to another Apple Store.
Why did Apple skip the regular iPhone 18?
Apple did not provide a detailed public reason. Reporting points to a split launch calendar in which premium phones arrive in September and lower-priced models move to the first part of the following year.
Memory and chip shortages may have contributed by making components more expensive and limiting supply. Prioritising Pro and foldable devices lets Apple direct scarce parts toward phones with higher prices and wider margins.
That explanation is supported by the shape of the lineup, but it remains an inference rather than an official statement. The confirmed fact is simply that no base iPhone 18 was announced on September 9.
When could the iPhone 18 launch?
Reports suggest the regular iPhone 18 could arrive in the first quarter of 2027, potentially alongside a new iPhone Air and lower-cost iPhone 18e. Apple has not confirmed those products or dates.
“Delayed” and “cancelled” mean different things. Buyers should avoid listings that present a spring date, specifications or price as official before Apple publishes them.
The launch calendar may be becoming more segmented: premium Pro devices in the fall, followed by mainstream phones later. This would spread iPhone attention and production demand across more of the year.
Why raise prices on older iPhones?
Apple usually reduces some previous-generation prices after a new launch. The 2026 US change moves in the opposite direction, with $100 increases across the remaining older lineup.
Industry reporting links the broader phone-price increase to shortages and higher costs for memory and advanced chips as AI data centres compete for components. Apple has not provided a model-by-model cost breakdown, so the exact contribution of supply, currency and strategy cannot be calculated publicly.
The result is straightforward: skipping the base iPhone 18 did not preserve a cheaper entry point. Even the older iPhone 16 and 17e cost more from Apple in the US than before the event.
What happened to the iPhone 17 Pro models?
Apple's direct lineup typically removes the previous Pro generation when a new Pro arrives. Buyers may still find iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max stock through carriers and authorised retailers, but discounts, returns and availability will vary.
A discontinued Apple Store listing does not mean the phone immediately loses updates. Hardware sales status and iOS support are separate decisions.
Retailers may discount remaining stock, but buyers should compare the final amount with the new iPhone 18 Pro country pricing rather than assuming last year's model is automatically the better deal.
Should you buy an older iPhone now?
An older model can be sensible if a retailer offers a meaningful discount, storage is sufficient and the device has full warranty coverage. Check four points:
- Compare Apple's price with authorised-retailer and carrier totals.
- Confirm whether an advertised price requires a trade-in or contract.
- Compare storage because a lower number may mean less capacity.
- Verify Apple Intelligence support if Siri AI matters to you.
The iPhone 17 and Air support current Apple Intelligence features, while older iPhones can receive iOS 27 without its complete AI layer.
Should you wait for the base iPhone 18?
Wait if your priority is a current-generation iPhone below Pro pricing and your existing phone works well. A possible spring release may offer a better balance than paying a newly increased price for an older device.
Buy sooner only when you need a replacement or find a genuine discount. There is no guarantee that a future base iPhone 18 will be inexpensive, and its final price and specifications remain unknown.
For the complete lineup, see everything Apple announced at its September event.
Sources: The Verge on the missing base iPhone 18, The Verge's updated US prices, Apple's official event page and Reuters event coverage.
Follow MatchUpWorld's technology coverage for verified Apple release and pricing updates.
