Juli Clover, writing for MacRumors based on a report from The Information:

Starting in 2026, Apple plans to change the release cycle for its flagship iPhone lineup, according to The Information. Apple will release the more expensive ‌iPhone‌ 18 Pro models in the fall, delaying the release of the standard ‌iPhone‌ 18 until the spring.

Shifting the release schedule will make it easier for Apple to manage an ‌iPhone‌ lineup that has six devices instead of five, as The Information suggests that a staggered launch would cut down on the number of manufacturing workers that Apple needs to employ at one time.

This rumour does not make sense to me. A few days ago, in Apple’s annual or quarterly financial results, it was reported that due to the new tariffs in America, Apple will lose approximately $900 million this quarter, which is basically a billion dollars. Apple hasn’t raised the prices of its products yet, whereas most tech companies have. Regrettably, I am pretty sure that in September this year, the new iPhones will be more expensive than last year.

The base iPhone 16 today costs $799 and the base iPhone 16 Pro today costs $999. Let’s just assume the 16e doesn’t exist, meaning you can get an iPhone 16 for $799. When the iPhone 17 launches in September, it will go up in price, and let’s assume it will cost $899 and the base 17 Pro model goes up to $1,099.

Where does this leave us for next year? Assuming prices don’t increase further on the Pro model, it means next year the iPhone 18 Pro will cost $1,099, and this becomes the new price that an iPhone with the “18” moniker starts at. Most people don’t care about the iPhone being Pro or not, but they do care about the number and the end of it. So getting an iPhone with the highest number next to its name costs $799 today, $899 in September this year, but $1,099 next year? That is a huge jump.

Add to this the rumour of a new foldable releasing next year which is rumoured to go beyond $2,000, iPhones are going to look really expensive.

This is all but speculation that the iPhones next year are going to have a staggered release, and it may make sense from a manufacturing point of view, and having fewer SKUs might help with logistics, but as a consumer, iPhones are going to look exorbitantly expensive.