Punjab, Sept. 10 -- The most consequential thing about Apple's September event was a product that was not there. Apple did not launch a standard iPhone 18. The autumn lineup is premium only - iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and the foldable Duo - with the base iPhone 18 pushed to spring 2027.
What changes
For roughly fifteen years, one September event carried the entire iPhone range. Splitting it means two launch moments a year: premium hardware in autumn, mainstream hardware in spring.
The logic is not hard to follow. When the base model and the Pro launch together, they compete for the same coverage, and the cheaper phone is the easier recommendation for most buyers. Separating them gives each its own window and stops the entry model from cappi...