Updated August 21, 2026: This article is continuously updated as new iPhone 18 lineup reports, supply-chain information, analyst notes, and official Apple details become available.
Will there be an iPhone 18 Plus? Based on the latest information, an iPhone 18 Plus now looks unlikely.
The rumor came from a March 2026 Barclays research note in which analyst Tim Long mentioned that Apple could release either an iPhone 18 Plus or an iPhone Air 2 alongside the standard iPhone 18 in 2027. At the time, it was presented as a possibility rather than a confirmed product plan.
Since then, the picture has become clearer. Multiple later reports now point to a spring 2027 lineup consisting of the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 — with no iPhone 18 Plus included.
Bottom line: there is currently no strong evidence that Apple plans to bring the Plus model back for the iPhone 18 generation.
Quick Answer: Is Apple Making an iPhone 18 Plus?
- Current answer: probably not
- Original rumor: Barclays analyst Tim Long mentioned iPhone 18 Plus as one possible 2027 option
- Latest lineup reports: iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 are expected in spring 2027
- September 2026: iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Ultra are expected
- iPhone 18 Plus release date: no reliable release date exists
- iPhone 18 Plus price/specs: no credible pricing or specification leaks currently exist
Where Did the iPhone 18 Plus Rumor Come From?
The iPhone 18 Plus rumor can be traced to a March 2026 research note from Barclays analyst Tim Long.
According to the report, Apple was considering a spring 2027 launch for the standard iPhone 18. Long also mentioned that two other models could arrive alongside it: the lower-cost iPhone 18e and either an iPhone 18 Plus or iPhone Air 2.
That wording is important. The report did not say Apple had finalized an iPhone 18 Plus. It presented the Plus as one possible lineup option.
At the time, this was notable because Apple had already replaced the Plus position with the iPhone Air in the previous generation.
Why Is the iPhone 18 Plus Now Unlikely?
The biggest reason is that later reports consistently point to iPhone Air 2, not iPhone 18 Plus.
Since the original Barclays note, multiple reports about Apple’s new split-release strategy have described the same spring 2027 lineup:
- iPhone 18
- iPhone 18e
- iPhone Air 2
Apple suppliers have also indirectly supported the delayed launch of the standard iPhone 18 into early 2027.
By August 2026, the iPhone Air 2 has appeared repeatedly in roadmap reports, while the iPhone 18 Plus has not gained comparable support from other analysts, supply-chain sources, dummy models, or component leaks.
That makes the Plus rumor increasingly look like an early contingency option rather than an active product plan.
Is the iPhone 18 Plus Canceled?
There is no evidence that Apple formally “canceled” an iPhone 18 Plus.
That wording would imply the device had entered a confirmed development or launch plan and was later removed. Current reporting does not establish that.
A more accurate interpretation is that Apple may have evaluated multiple lineup options, with the iPhone Air 2 emerging as the more likely product.
So the safest wording is:
iPhone 18 Plus appears unlikely, rather than officially canceled.
What Is Apple Launching Instead of iPhone 18 Plus?
The strongest current reports suggest Apple is reorganizing the iPhone lineup around six models released in two phases.
| Expected Release Window | Models |
|---|---|
| September 2026 | iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Ultra |
| Spring 2027 | iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, iPhone Air 2 |
This split-release strategy is now much more strongly supported than the earlier iPhone 18 Plus possibility.
iPhone 18 Release Timeline: What Is Expected Now?
Apple is expected to break from its traditional pattern of launching the entire new iPhone family in September.
The premium models are expected first, followed by the more affordable models several months later.
September 2026: iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and iPhone Ultra
The September event is expected to focus on Apple’s highest-end iPhones:
- iPhone 18 Pro
- iPhone 18 Pro Max
- iPhone Ultra, Apple’s first foldable iPhone
This is a major strategic change because the standard iPhone 18 is no longer expected to launch alongside the Pro models.
Spring 2027: iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2
The standard iPhone 18 is now expected in early 2027, with supplier comments supporting a delayed launch.
It is expected to be joined by the more affordable iPhone 18e and the second-generation iPhone Air.
Could iPhone Air 2 Be the Real Replacement for iPhone 18 Plus?
Yes — that is currently the most likely interpretation.
The old Plus lineup filled a simple role: give buyers a larger display without requiring them to pay for a Pro Max.
The Air lineup approaches the same middle position differently. Instead of focusing only on screen size, Apple is giving the device a clearer identity around thinness, portability, and design.
That makes the Air easier to distinguish from both the standard iPhone and the Pro Max.
Current reports say Apple is actively developing an iPhone Air 2, including a possible second rear camera. That gives the Air 2 significantly more current evidence than the iPhone 18 Plus.
iPhone 18 Plus vs iPhone Air 2: Which One Is More Likely?
| Question | iPhone 18 Plus | iPhone Air 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Current rumor strength | Weak | Strong |
| Multiple-source support | No | Yes |
| Expected release | No reliable date | Spring 2027 |
| Reported development | Only mentioned as a possible option | Reportedly in active development / testing |
Based on the evidence available today, the iPhone Air 2 is far more likely to launch than an iPhone 18 Plus.
Want a deeper look at how Apple’s Air lineup is evolving? Read our iPhone Air vs iPhone Air 2 Rumours: Features, Release Date & Upgrade Guide.
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What About Apple’s Foldable iPhone?
The foldable iPhone is another reason Apple no longer needs a Plus model to expand the lineup.
The device is now widely expected to launch under the iPhone Ultra name alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in September 2026.
Its large inner display gives Apple a completely different way to serve users who want more screen space, while the Air lineup targets buyers who value thinness and portability.
That leaves less strategic room for a traditional Plus model positioned mainly around a larger conventional display.
Is There an iPhone 18 Plus Release Date?
No reliable iPhone 18 Plus release date currently exists.
The original Barclays report mentioned the Plus only as one possible device that could appear around the same time as the standard iPhone 18 in 2027.
Later reports instead identify iPhone Air 2 as part of the spring 2027 lineup.
For that reason, claims that the iPhone 18 Plus will “launch in March 2027” should be treated cautiously. March 2027 is a rumored window for Apple’s lower-priced iPhone wave, not a confirmed iPhone 18 Plus release date.
How Much Will the iPhone 18 Plus Cost?
There is no credible iPhone 18 Plus price leak.
Because the device itself is not currently supported by multiple reliable reports, exact price claims would be speculative.
If Apple ever revives the Plus line, its historical role suggests it would sit between the standard iPhone and Pro Max. But there is not enough evidence to assign a realistic 2027 price today.
What Size Would the iPhone 18 Plus Be?
No reliable display size or dimensions have been reported for an iPhone 18 Plus.
Older Plus models used larger displays than the standard iPhone, but there is no evidence that Apple has finalized a new Plus chassis for the iPhone 18 generation.
Any exact claims about a 6.7-inch, 6.8-inch, or other display size should therefore be treated as speculation unless new hardware evidence appears.
Are There Any iPhone 18 Plus Specs or Dummy Models?
No credible iPhone 18 Plus dummy models, component leaks, camera layouts, battery capacities, or specification sheets have appeared so far.
That absence is important. By this stage, the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, iPhone Ultra, standard iPhone 18, and iPhone Air 2 all have substantially more supporting information.
If an iPhone 18 Plus were actively preparing for a spring 2027 launch, we would expect more independent evidence to begin appearing.
Why Did Apple Replace the Plus Model in the First Place?
The Plus model had a difficult position in Apple’s lineup.
It offered a larger screen than the standard iPhone but lacked many of the features that made the Pro Max attractive. That created a narrow middle ground between users who wanted the cheapest mainstream iPhone and users willing to pay more for the Pro Max.
Apple’s Air strategy gives that middle tier a more distinct reason to exist:
- a thinner body;
- a lighter design;
- a separate visual identity;
- positioning between standard and Pro models.
This clearer differentiation is one reason an Air 2 currently makes more strategic sense than reviving the Plus name.
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Could Apple Bring the Plus Back in a Future iPhone Generation?
Yes, it is possible — but there is no current evidence that it will happen with iPhone 18.
Apple frequently tests different hardware combinations and lineup strategies. If the Air category performs poorly or customer demand shifts back toward large, non-Pro phones, Apple could reconsider the Plus concept later.
But that possibility should be separated from the specific claim that an iPhone 18 Plus is coming in 2027. The latter currently lacks strong evidence.
Should You Wait for the iPhone 18 Plus?
No — not specifically for the iPhone 18 Plus.
If what you actually want is a larger or more distinctive non-Pro iPhone, it makes more sense to watch the iPhone Air 2 and standard iPhone 18 expected in spring 2027.
If new evidence for an iPhone 18 Plus appears, this article will be updated. But based on the current roadmap, there is no strong reason to delay a purchase solely for a Plus model that may never launch.
iPhone 18 Plus FAQ
Will there be an iPhone 18 Plus?
Probably not. One analyst mentioned it as a possible 2027 option, but later reports consistently point to iPhone Air 2 instead.
Is the iPhone 18 Plus canceled?
There is no evidence that Apple formally canceled it. It is more accurate to say the Plus appears to have been an option rather than a finalized product.
When would the iPhone 18 Plus be released?
There is no reliable release date. The original rumor loosely connected it to Apple’s spring 2027 launch window, but newer reports identify iPhone Air 2 instead.
Will the iPhone 18 Plus launch in September 2026?
No current report supports a September 2026 iPhone 18 Plus launch. That event is expected to feature iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Ultra.
Will iPhone 18 launch in 2026?
The standard iPhone 18 is now expected in spring 2027 rather than September 2026.
What will replace the iPhone 18 Plus?
The iPhone Air 2 currently appears to occupy the lineup position that a Plus model might otherwise fill.
How much will iPhone 18 Plus cost?
No credible price has been reported because the device itself is not currently part of the strongest iPhone 18 roadmap rumors.
What size will iPhone 18 Plus be?
No reliable display size or dimensions have leaked.
Is iPhone Air 2 more likely than iPhone 18 Plus?
Yes. iPhone Air 2 has appeared repeatedly in later roadmap and supply-chain reports, while iPhone 18 Plus has not.
Final Thoughts
The iPhone 18 Plus rumor was worth watching when it first appeared in March 2026, but the evidence has moved in a different direction.
What began as an “iPhone 18 Plus or iPhone Air 2” possibility has increasingly become a much clearer roadmap: iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 in spring 2027.
At the same time, Apple is expanding the premium side of the lineup with the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra.
That leaves very little room for an iPhone 18 Plus in the current six-model strategy.
This article will continue to be updated if new supply-chain evidence, model identifiers, dummy units, component leaks, or official Apple information points to a genuine iPhone 18 Plus.
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