Apple expected to delay affordable iphones amid global chip shortage
As Apple prepares to unveil its iPhone 18 Pro and foldable iPhone Ultra this fall, rumors suggest the company will delay the launch of its more affordable iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e models until early next year.
Strategic delay to maintain pricing integrity
The decision, reportedly made to navigate the ongoing global chip shortage, reflects Apple's strategy to maintain pricing integrity for its products. By scaling back specs on the budget-friendly iPhone models, the tech giant aims to keep prices stable while still offering distinct features for the different tiers of its lineup.
While the iPhone 18 Pro and Ultra will feature high-end specifications, including powerful A20 chipsets and 2nm fabrication, the standard iPhone 18 and 18e are expected to make do with less-capable processors and potentially reduced memory and storage.
However, the exact nature of these spec downgrades remains unclear. A recent leak pointed to a 4-core GPU for both models, indicating that performance differences might be relatively minor. The rumor also spoke of a downgraded manufacturing process, but it's uncertain whether this would impact the devices' 2nm chip fabrication or other components.
Despite these compromises, the iPhone 18 and 18e are likely to retain some key advantages over each other, such as screen size, battery capacity, and camera controls. However, the reduced specs mean the value proposition for these devices will shrink slightly.
The smartphone market is expected to contract by 12.9% this year due to the ongoing chip shortage, according to IDC. While Apple has been better equipped to handle the challenges, no company is immune to the cost shock. By delaying the budget-friendly iPhone models, Apple can hope to avoid shipment disruptions and maintain sales momentum.
For consumers, the difference between the high-end and standard iPhone models might be less noticeable in the short term. However, as the tech landscape continues to evolve, the underpowered iPhone 18 might start reflecting its reduced specs more perceptibly over time.