Apple could begin production of the standard iPhone 18 as early as November, according to a new leak, with the company reportedly preparing for strong demand for its upcoming entry-level flagship.
The development comes as Apple adopts a different launch strategy this year, introducing the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max ahead of the standard model. While the company has yet to reveal details about the vanilla iPhone 18, reports cited by NDTV suggest that the handset could arrive in March next year.
iPhone 18 production tipped to begin in November
Per an NDTV report, Tipster Fixed Focus Digital, in a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo, claimed that the iPhone 18 would enter production in November. According to the tipster, Apple's inventory levels indicate that the company is preparing to maintain substantial stock of the upcoming smartphone.
The preparations could point to expectations of strong initial sales, although Apple has not officially confirmed the production schedule or launch date.
The tipster also suggested in the comments section that the iPhone 18 could debut alongside the iPhone 18e in March next year. The reported timeline would mark a departure from Apple's traditional approach of launching its standard and Pro iPhone models together during the autumn launch season.
iPhone 18 specifications: What to expect
The iPhone 18 is rumoured to feature Apple's next-generation A20 chipset, which is expected to power its performance and support on-device artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.
The standard model could also come with 9GB of RAM, according to the leak. However, Apple has not confirmed these specifications.
In terms of display and cameras, the handset is tipped to feature a 6.3-inch screen and a dual rear camera system. These details remain speculative until the company officially announces the device.
iPhone 18 Pro models launched ahead of standard variant
Apple has already introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, alongside its foldable iPhone Duo, at its 'Surprise and Shine' event last month.
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900 for the 256GB variant, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max is priced at Rs 1,79,900 for the same storage configuration.
The Pro model features a 6.3-inch display, while the Pro Max has a larger 6.9-inch screen. Both devices run on Apple's A20 Pro chipset and feature a triple rear camera system, including a 48-megapixel Fusion primary sensor with variable aperture.
Apple has not yet announced an official launch date or confirmed specifications for the standard iPhone 18.