Base iPhone 18 Could Miss September as Apple Rides iPhone 17 Momentum
Apple’s usual September iPhone rhythm might be getting a shake-up, if a new supply-chain rumour is accurate. According to claims shared by Weibo tipster Fixed-focus digital cameras and reported by Wccftech, Apple may hold back the standard iPhone 18 from this year’s launch window and push it into early 2027 instead.
The interesting part is the reason behind it. This is not being framed as a simple production delay. The claim is that Apple could be making a calculated business move: keep the base iPhone 17 selling for longer, avoid rushing into newer components, and protect profit margins while DRAM prices become more painful.
Why DRAM matters here
DRAM is one of those boring-sounding parts that quietly affects everything, from phones to gaming handhelds to laptops. When memory supply gets tight, brands either absorb higher costs, raise prices, or make product decisions to soften the hit.
Wccftech notes that Apple CEO Tim Cook has already warned that the company’s DRAM stockpile will not last forever. If Apple eventually needs to buy newer memory batches at higher prices, sticking with an existing model like the iPhone 17 for a few extra months could help keep costs under control.
That matters because a fresh base iPhone 18 would likely need new component orders, including newer chips and memory. By continuing with the iPhone 17, Apple can lean on parts it already understands, including the older 3nm A19 chip platform mentioned in the report.
iPhone 17 is already doing the work
The rumour also makes sense from a momentum angle. The iPhone 17 is reportedly the best-selling smartphone globally for Q1 2026, so Apple may not be in a rush to replace it too quickly.
And honestly, for Malaysian buyers, that tracks. The non-Pro iPhone has become the “sensible flagship” choice for a lot of people here — especially those who want the Apple ecosystem, good cameras, long software support, and resale value, but don’t want to pay Pro Max money.
The iPhone 17 is also stronger than a typical base iPhone. It is Apple’s first non-Pro model with an LTPO OLED display, bringing ProMotion with an adaptive refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz. It also carries 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM, the same RAM amount as the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, plus a capable dual-camera setup.
So if the iPhone 18 base model is not expected to bring a massive upgrade beyond the chipset, Apple may feel there is no need to split attention between two very similar entry flagships.
What this means for Malaysia and SEA buyers
For SEA markets, the biggest thing to watch is pricing. If component costs rise, future iPhones could become harder to price attractively. Malaysia already deals with premium phone pricing that can feel gila once you add storage upgrades, AppleCare, cases, chargers, and telco plans.
If Apple keeps the iPhone 17 around longer, it could actually be good news for buyers here. More time on shelves usually means more telco bundles, better trade-in promos, and maybe stronger discounts through authorised resellers. Shopee, Lazada, Machines, Switch, and telco contract deals could become more interesting if Apple continues pushing the model instead of immediately replacing it.
But remember: this is still a rumour. The source is a tipster claim, not an official Apple announcement. Until Apple confirms its September plans, treat this as a supply-chain signal rather than locked-in fact.
Still, the logic is believable. If the iPhone 17 is selling well, component costs are rising, and the base iPhone 18 may not be a dramatic leap, Apple delaying it would be a very Apple move — less flashy, but financially sharp.
Source: Wccftech Gaming
