Apple is reportedly planning to reduce manufacturing costs for the standard iPhone 18 by bringing parts of the device more in line with the lower-cost iPhone 18e.
According to Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital, Apple is implementing “certain manufacturing downgrades” for the iPhone 18 as part of a broader cost-cutting strategy.
The leaker claims Apple is making changes across manufacturing processes, chips, memory, and other components in order to reduce production costs and better position the device against the lower-priced iPhone 18e.
The report suggests the standard iPhone 18 could end up sharing more similarities with the iPhone 18e than in previous years, potentially creating a bigger gap between Apple’s regular iPhone lineup and its more premium Pro models.
Fixed Focus Digital also claims Apple is planning a major shake-up to its usual release schedule. Rather than launching the full iPhone lineup in the fall, Apple is reportedly considering splitting launches across two periods.
Under the rumored strategy, Apple would unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable “iPhone Ultra” in September 2026, with the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and second-generation iPhone Air launching several months later in spring 2027.
If accurate, the move would give Apple more time to differentiate its mainstream models from its higher-end lineup, while also potentially helping to spread demand across multiple launch windows.
At this stage, it is unclear exactly which parts of the iPhone 18 could see cutbacks, though previous reports have suggested Apple is looking for ways to lower production costs without significantly changing the external design of the device.