Apple Delays Standard iPhone 18 to Prioritize First Foldable and Premium Camera Models
Apple will delay its standard iPhone 18 launch to H1 2027 to prioritize three premium models—including its first foldable iPhone and two advanced camera variants—citing memory chip shortages and supply constraints. The strategy follows Q1 results of $143.76 billion revenue and an active installed base exceeding 2.5 billion devices.
1. Record Fiscal First Quarter Performance
Apple reported fiscal first quarter revenue of $143.8 billion, marking a 16 percent year-over-year increase, and delivered non-GAAP earnings per share of $2.84, up 19 percent from the prior year. This quarter represents the strongest top- and bottom-line result in the company’s history, driven by robust consumer demand and an expanded services business.
2. Record iPhone Sales Alongside Regional Momentum
Unit sales of the latest iPhone rose by 23 percent compared with the year-ago quarter, fueled by “unprecedented” uptake in Greater China—where revenue jumped from $18.5 billion to $25.5 billion—and double-digit growth in India. Services revenue also hit an all-time high, climbing 14 percent, as subscribers increased across the App Store, Apple Music and cloud-based offerings.
3. Margin Expansion Confronts Rising Component Costs
Gross margin expanded by over 100 basis points to reach the low-40 percent range, reflecting operational efficiencies and a favorable product mix. However, management cautioned that ongoing shortages in high-bandwidth memory—exacerbated by increased AI data-center deployments—could elevate component costs in the coming quarters, potentially pressuring margins until supply stabilizes.