Apple skips the base iPhone 18 at its fall launch event

Live updates

1. 29d ago

   Jim Cramer Predicts iPhone Duo Catalyst for Apple Stock

   Apple released the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 18 without a standard baseline model. CEO John Ternus led the September 9 keynote, unveiling a foldable iPhone Ultra and the Apple Watch 12 alongside the Pro handsets, which feature variable camera aperture, a more powerful chip, and a $100 price increase. Pre-orders for the Pro models began on September 12. Industry analysts indicate the standard non-pro version of the iPhone 18 is unlikely to arrive until 2027, splitting the product cycle. Meanwhile, Jim Cramer predicted that the iPhone Duo will drive Apple stock higher.

   Why it matters

   Apple traditionally releases a full lineup of standard and professional devices simultaneously during its fall launch windows. Splitting the product cycle by withholding the baseline model alters consumer choices and shifts near-term revenue entirely toward the higher-priced Pro variants. Market watchers are assessing how this hardware strategy impacts overall upgrade volumes and company performance.

   What is confirmed

   • Apple released the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 18 without introducing a standard baseline iPhone 18 model.
   • CEO John Ternus led the September 9 keynote, which unveiled a foldable iPhone Ultra and the Apple Watch 12.
   • Pre-orders for the Pro models began on September 12.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Jim Cramer predicted that the iPhone Duo is what will drive Apple's next leg higher.

   What to watch next

   • An official announcement or release timeline from Apple regarding the standard iPhone 18 model
   • Any further market analysis concerning the impact of the split product cycle on fourth-quarter earnings
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. mashable.com — October Prime Day Apple deals guide: Buy now or wait?
   2. 1023jack.com — 13 Best Apple iPhones in 2026 - 1023 Jack
   3. www.cnbc.com — Wall Street's strong quarter. Plus, Lilly's mixed obesity drug trial data
   4. www.esquire.com — How to Score an Apple Upgrade on Prime Day
   5. www.cnet.com — This $3,555 Humanoid Robot Learns New Chores in 30 Minutes, Startup Says
   6. www.cnbc.com — Jim Cramer sees a huge catalyst on the horizon for Apple. How to play the stock
   7. jen.jiji.com — Roberto Vecchioni takes another break: "Stay close to me"
   confidence 90%
2. 31d ago

   Apple Skips Base iPhone 18 in Shift Toward 2027 Lineup Split

   Apple released the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 18 without introducing a standard baseline iPhone 18 model. The Pro handsets feature variable camera aperture and a more powerful chip, alongside a $100 price increase. CEO John Ternus led the September 9 keynote, which also unveiled a foldable iPhone Ultra and the Apple Watch 12. Pre-orders for the Pro models began on September 12. Industry analysts indicate that the standard non-pro version of the iPhone 18 is unlikely to arrive until 2027, splitting the product cycle.

   Why it matters

   Apple traditionally unveils its entire flagship smartphone lineup together during its autumn hardware events. Skipping the entry-level device while releasing premium variants alters the annual release cadence and forces consumers seeking baseline hardware to evaluate older generations like the iPhone 17. This staggered rollout strategy separates the high-end pro models from the standard consumer editions.

   What is confirmed

   • Apple released the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 18 without a standard baseline iPhone 18 model.
   • Prices for the iPhone 18 Pro handsets increased by $100.
   • CEO John Ternus led the September 9 keynote introducing the Apple Watch 12 and a foldable iPhone Ultra.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The standard non-pro version of the iPhone 18 is rumored to arrive in early 2027 or a spring 2027 release window.

   What to watch next

   • Official confirmation from Apple regarding the exact release date of the standard iPhone 18 model in 2027
   • Sales figures and consumer demand metrics for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max variants
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. lifehacker.com — Lifehacker Deals Live Blog: The Best Tech Sales, All in One Place
   2. www.cnet.com — Best ISPs of 2026: Our Top Picks Evaluated for Speed, Value and Price Transparency
   3. www.theapplepost.com — iPhone 18: Release date, rumored features and what to expect
   4. www.zdnet.com — I tried every new Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, and the audio-only model might be a surprise hit
   5. www.fool.com — Apple Launches New Products in Time for New CEO
   6. www.pcmag.com — Streaming Price Hike Tracker: How Much Every Major Service Will Cost You
   7. jen.jiji.com — Drama in Salerno, woman dies suffocated in her sleep: 53-year-old son arrested
   8. www.theverge.com — Peloton is back with a ‘cheaper’ folding treadmill
   9. www.cnet.com — Best Camera Phone of 2026
   10. jen.jiji.com — Cgil, 120th-anniversary celebrations in Milan: two days to look at the future of work
   11. gigazine.net — Headline news for September 24, 2026 - GIGAZINE
   12. virtual.reality.news — Valve Steam Frame Price: Why $1,059 Favors PC-VR Users << Virtual Reality News :: Next Reality
   confidence 100%
3. 43d ago

   Apple launches iPhone 18 Pro and Watch 12 while omitting base model

   Apple released the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 18, though it skipped the standard iPhone 18 baseline model. The Pro handsets feature variable camera aperture and a more powerful chip, with prices increasing by $100. CEO John Ternus led the September 9 keynote, which also introduced a foldable iPhone Ultra and the Apple Watch 12. The Watch 12 includes new health sensors and recovery insights that do not require a subscription paywall. Pre-orders for the Pro models began September 12.

   Why it matters

   This launch represents the first keynote under new CEO John Ternus. The decision to omit a base model suggests a shift in Apple's product strategy toward higher-end hardware.

   What is confirmed

   • Apple debuted the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at its September 9 event.
   • The standard iPhone 18 baseline model was skipped at the launch event.
   • iPhone 18 Pro models feature a more powerful chip and variable camera aperture.
   • Prices for the Pro models increased by $100.
   • The September 9 keynote was led by new CEO John Ternus.
   • Apple launched the Apple Watch 12 and a foldable iPhone Ultra.
   • iPhone 18 Pro models became available for pre-order on September 12 and launched in stores on September 18.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Apple Watch 12 includes an AI feature that creates mixed reactions among reviewers.
   • The iPhone 18 Pro is specifically designed as a reward for infrequent upgraders.

   What to watch next

   • Official announcement regarding a potential base model release
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. jen.jiji.com — European Volleyball Championship, today Italy-Czech Republic: schedule and where to watch it live
   2. www.macworld.com — The iPhone 18 Pro is a reward for those who waited
   3. tech.yahoo.com — Base Labs launches an open-weight AI safety partnership with Hugging Face and Goodfire
   4. en.sedaily.com — Ulsan to Build 3D High-Precision Map of Entire City
   5. tech.yahoo.com — Apple Watch Series 12 Review: I’m Loving the Subscription-Free Life
   6. en.sedaily.com — Korean Institute Exports EV Charging Test System to California
   confidence 100%
4. 50d ago

   Apple omits base iPhone 18 from September launch event

   Apple debuted the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at its September 9 event, but skipped the standard iPhone 18 baseline model. The Pro models feature a more powerful chip and variable camera aperture, with prices increasing by $100. New hardware also includes the Apple Watch 12 and a foldable iPhone Ultra. The iPhone 18 Pro models are available for pre-order starting September 12 and will launch in stores on September 18. The event marked the first keynote led by new CEO John Ternus.

   Why it matters

   The absence of a standard model disrupts Apple's typical annual release cycle for the base iPhone. This shift places immediate focus on high-end hardware and the introduction of foldable technology. It leaves the entry-level market strategy for the 18-series unresolved.

   What is confirmed

   • Apple debuted the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
   • The iPhone 18 Pro features a more powerful chip and variable camera aperture.
   • Prices for the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max increased by $100.
   • Pre-orders for iPhone 18 Pro models begin September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time.
   • The iPhone 18 Pro models launch in stores on September 18.
   • New CEO John Ternus helmed the September 9 keynote.
   • Apple unveiled the Apple Watch 12.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The baseline iPhone 18 may arrive next year.
   • Apple unveiled an iPhone Air.
   • Apple unveiled an iPhone Duo.
   • The iPhone Ultra is a foldable device.

   What to watch next

   • Official confirmation of the base iPhone 18 release date
   • Shipping data for the iPhone 18 Pro models
   • Technical specifications for the foldable iPhone Ultra
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. www.cnet.com — Apple Event 2026 Live: The First Foldable iPhone, iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch 12 and More
   2. mashable.com — Apple Event 2026: Live updates on iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch 12, and new AirPods
   3. www.cnet.com — Where’s the iPhone 18? Here’s Why Apple Didn’t Reveal a New Standard iPhone
   4. The Verge — Apple skips the base iPhone 18 at its fall launch event
   5. Apple — Apple debuts iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
   6. Ars Technica — Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro adds variable camera aperture and a more powerful chip
   7. The Verge — iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: Our first hands-on impressions
   8. CNET — iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max Prices Jump by $100
   9. The Verge — The black iPhone Pro returns
   10. www.macrumors.com — iPhone 18 Pro Launching on September 18 With These 10 New Features
   11. www.digit.in — Apple skips iPhone 18 at its September launch event: Why the base model may arrive later
   12. mashable.com — Apple Watch Series 12 vs. 11: Every upgrade, including one Apple didn't mention
   confidence 90%