According to well-known Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital, the move is not the result of technical setbacks but rather a calculated decision designed to maximize profits and reinforce Apple’s position in the global smartphone market.

In two recent posts, the leaker claimed that downgrading the iPhone 18’s hardware has become nearly unavoidable due to prolonged global supply chain difficulties.

However, instead of rushing a device with too many compromises to market, Apple is said to be intentionally delaying the release to buy more time and refine its strategy.

According to the source, Apple wants to extend the commercial lifespan of the iPhone 17 by maintaining high production volumes for a longer-than-usual period.

This would allow the current-generation iPhone to continue dominating the mainstream segment before a more stripped-down successor arrives.

iPhone 17 becomes Apple’s key weapon in China

One of Apple’s major goals is reportedly ensuring sufficient iPhone 17 supply to compete aggressively during China’s Double 11 shopping festival later this year.

Also known as Singles’ Day, the event is considered the world’s largest e-commerce sales season, where smartphone brands fiercely battle for market share.

In the face of mounting competition from Chinese Android brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi and Vivo - all accelerating their AI and premium hardware ambitions - Apple is believed to be maximizing the momentum of the iPhone 17 before introducing a simplified iPhone 18 standard model.

Fixed Focus Digital described the approach as an “extremely smart market adjustment mechanism.”

Under this strategy, if the iPhone 18 arrives roughly 18 months after the iPhone 17, consumers may be more willing to accept a device with lower-end specifications.

By then, the iPhone 17 would already have secured strong sales performance and established a stable revenue foundation for Apple.

The strategy is also expected to help reduce manufacturing cost pressure at a time when the global electronics industry continues to struggle with component shortages and rising semiconductor prices.

iPhone 18 rumored to receive major hardware cuts

The latest leaks add to earlier reports claiming that the standard iPhone 18 could face substantial downgrades. Fixed Focus Digital previously revealed that Apple is making several manufacturing adjustments aimed at lowering production costs.

Not only the display, but even the A-series processor could reportedly be affected. Apple may even alter its chip branding strategy to draw less attention to performance reductions compared to previous generations.

The source also claimed that EVT (Engineering Validation Testing) for both the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e is scheduled to run simultaneously in June.

This suggests the two devices could share significantly more hardware components and technical foundations than previous generations.

More notably, several parts between the iPhone 18 and the budget-oriented iPhone 18e are reportedly interchangeable within the supply chain.

Industry observers see this as further evidence that the hardware gap between the two models is narrowing considerably.

The leaker insisted: “Trust me, the standard iPhone 18 has already been downgraded, and the launch delay is final. It will not change.”

Apple could completely overhaul its iPhone release calendar

If the rumors prove accurate, Apple may adopt a fully split release schedule for future iPhones.

Under the proposed plan, the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the long-rumored foldable model, potentially branded as the “iPhone Ultra,” would still debut in fall 2026.

Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2 would be pushed back to spring 2027.

Reports about separating Pro and standard iPhone launches first emerged last year.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Japanese publication Nikkei previously indicated that Apple had been exploring such a model.

Industry analysts believe the approach would allow Apple to optimize revenue generation throughout the year instead of relying solely on a single September launch cycle.

Launching Pro devices earlier would also help Apple spotlight advanced technologies such as AI, next-generation chips and foldable iPhones without having attention diluted by lower-priced standard models.

If successful, the strategy could establish an entirely new iPhone business cycle: Pro models leading in technology and profitability, while standard models focus on maintaining mass-market share with more cost-optimized hardware.

Hai Phong