Key Takeaways
1. Apple is changing its iPhone release schedule, with the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and Fold launching in late 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 and Air 2 are delayed to early 2027.
2. Shipment predictions indicate a 20% decrease in iPhone 18 series shipments in 2026 compared to 2025, mainly due to the delayed launch of the standard models.
3. Samsung will produce 60 million OLED screens for the iPhone 18 Pro series, while LG will make 40 million, marking a decrease from the previous year’s production figures.
4. The financial impact from reduced shipments is expected to be minor because the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will launch as planned, alongside the new iPhone Fold.
5. Apple is likely to keep prices steady for the iPhone 18 series despite rising costs in the consumer electronics sector, benefiting consumers.
After many years of introducing new iPhone models during the latter part of the year, Apple is reportedly changing its release timeline for the iPhone 18 series. The expectation is that the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the iPhone Fold will come out in the second half of 2026, with the standard iPhone 18 and the iPhone Air 2 being pushed to the first half of 2027. This shift in the schedule is said to be affecting the overall shipment numbers for the iPhone 18 in 2026.
Shipment Predictions
A report from Korea indicates that Apple may ship 20% less of the iPhone 18 series in 2026 compared to 2025. This decrease is mainly because the launch of the iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 has been delayed to the first half of 2027, which accounts for about 30% of the total shipment. Consequently, component suppliers in Korea, such as Samsung and LG, might experience a slight financial setback.
Production Details
Samsung is said to be making 60 million OLED screens for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone. On the other hand, LG plans to produce only 40 million OLED panels for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in 2026. Notably, only Samsung is creating OLED displays for the foldable model. This marks a 20% decrease from 2025, when Samsung and LG produced 80 million and 45 million panels, respectively.
Revenue Impact
Nevertheless, since the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are set to launch as scheduled, the financial impact from the reduced iPhone shipments in 2026 is thought to be minor. The situation is also supported by the introduction of the iPhone Fold.
When the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are released in the second half of 2026, they are anticipated to have only a few significant hardware upgrades. The key enhancements for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max include a new A20 SoC, a variable aperture 48 MP main camera, and a smaller Dynamic Island.
Pricing Expectations
Fortunately, it seems likely that Apple will maintain the prices for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, focusing on volume instead of maximizing profits. The consumer electronics sector is currently facing challenges due to rising costs for DRAM and storage. Everything, from desktop GPUs to laptops and TVs, is projected to become pricier in the approaching months.
Thus, if Apple chooses to reduce profit margins to keep the prices for the base iPhone 18, iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max steady, it would be a significant advantage for consumers.
Source:
Link










