According to a report from Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Apple is set to modify its iPhone release schedule starting in 2026, embracing a 'phased' launch approach. This strategy marks a departure from Apple's long-held practice of unveiling new iPhones uniformly in the autumn, transitioning instead to two major product launches annually. Specifically, the tech giant intends to roll out the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its inaugural foldable iPhone in autumn 2026, while postponing the launch of the standard iPhone 18 to spring 2027. The primary goals behind this strategic shift are to ease the strains on engineering, marketing, and supply chain operations, to balance out annual revenue streams, and to enhance responsiveness to market competition. Although Apple has yet to officially confirm this strategic overhaul, numerous leaks and corroborating evidence have led industry observers to widely anticipate its implementation.