Apple analyst Tim Long from Barclays has provided new details about the company's 2026 iPhone lineup, suggesting a split launch strategy for the iPhone 18 series. According to Long's research note, the base iPhone 18 model may debut in March 2026 instead of the traditional September timeframe, with shipments of the highly anticipated foldable iPhone beginning in December 2025.

This staggered approach would see the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max launch in September as usual, followed by the foldable model a few months later. Long draws a parallel to 2017 when Apple released the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus in September before launching the iPhone X in November. The foldable iPhone would represent Apple's first entry into the foldable smartphone market, a segment currently dominated by Samsung and other Android manufacturers.

Most intriguingly, Long mentions the possibility of an iPhone 18 Plus launching alongside the base model in March 2026, paired with a lower-end iPhone 18e. This is notable since no other rumors have suggested a Plus variant for the 18 series. While Apple has struggled with Plus and Air models in recent years, Long's supply chain contacts may have specific information about this potential device. However, given the lack of corroborating rumors, this claim should be treated with skepticism.