55%
Plausible
Apple’s launch strategy for this year is going to be a little different, as the base iPhone 18 isn’t going to be a part of the lineup, with the company delaying the unveiling to early 2027. It turns out that the device’s absence from the September keynote is part of a bigger plan to maintain healthier margins during the DRAM shortage, at least that’s what a tipster wants you to believe.
The base iPhone 17 is already the best-selling smartphone in the world, with Apple expected to dominate markets by keeping it around for longer
With Apple previously claimed by Weibo tipster Fixed-focus digital cameras to make some manufacturing compromises to the iPhone 18, he returns with another claim as to why the company will follow the aforementioned move. With CEO Tim Cook having warned that its DRAM stockpile won’t last for long, Apple could keep the iPhone 17 on the production block for longer to keep its margins healthier while it battles the ongoing memory shortage.
Even if the current DRAM stock gets exhausted, which would force Apple to purchase the newer batches at a significantly higher cost, keeping the iPhone 17 around for several more months allows the company to lower its components bill by sticking to the older 3nm A19 SoC and using existing parts instead of having to order newer batches for the base iPhone 18.
Also, with the iPhone 17 selling in droves and becoming the best-selling smartphone for Q1 2026, Apple might not want to be done too quickly with it, as it would otherwise derail its momentum abruptly. It’s also likely that the Cupertino firm didn’t want to introduce the base iPhone 18 this year while maintaining the iPhone 17 as a part of its lineup because there may not be significant changes between the two other than a chipset upgrade.
Assuming the rumor is true, it’s a smart move from Apple, and given that the iPhone 17 is already an excellent choice for buyers who don’t want to spend excessively on a flagship while still enjoying premium features, we expect it to maintain its popularity. To remind you, the iPhone 17 is Apple’s first non-Pro release that ships with an LTPO OLED panel, granting it ProMotion support, or a refresh rate that goes from 1Hz to 120Hz.
It also packs the same 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM as the higher-end iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, while offering a top-notch dual-camera configuration at the back. In short, it’s an ideal ‘price to performance’ offering that can hang around with Apple’s more expensive handsets.
News Source: Fixed-focus digital cameras
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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