iPhone 18 arriving in 2027? Expected features, launch date, India price and more to expect

Apple may have skipped the standard iPhone 18 at its September launch, but the phone could arrive in March 2027. From a new A20 chip and smoother display to upgraded memory and a possible price hike, here is what the leaks suggest.

In Short

• Apple may retain a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED panel with 1.5K resolution
• Conflicting memory leaks point to either 9GB or 12GB capacity
• A smaller Dynamic Island and dual rear cameras remain possible upgrades

Apple skipped the launch of its standard iPhone this year. We got the iPhone 18 Pro series and the new foldable iPhone Duo, but the regular iPhone 18 was nowhere to be seen. But that doesn't mean Apple has decided to skip it altogether, though. According to reports, the company is planning to launch the standard model along with the iPhone Air 2 and iPhone 18e in March 2027.

According to buzzing rumours, Apple could begin production of the standard iPhone 18 by the end of November 2026. The phone is also expected to bring a new chipset, a 120Hz display and upgraded memory. However, Apple has yet to confirm any details about the phone, including its launch timeline, specifications and price in India.

So, what can we expect from the standard iPhone 18? Let's take a look at everything we know so far.

iPhone 18 launch date: When will it arrive?

The standard iPhone 18 is tipped to launch in March 2027. It could arrive alongside the more affordable iPhone 18e, giving Apple a second launch window for its smartphone line-up.

According to the latest leak by tipster Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, production of the iPhone 18 is scheduled to begin towards the end of November. The tipster also suggested that Apple is preparing a relatively large inventory of the phone ahead of its expected launch.

Alongside the standard iPhone 18, Apple is also reportedly preparing a successor to its slim iPhone Air. The iPhone Air 2 could arrive in March 2027 as well. It is tipped to get a chipset upgrade, a bigger battery and possibly a second rear camera, although there is no confirmed production timeline for the device.

iPhone 18 expected features and specifications

So, what can we expect from the vanilla iPhone 18? Here's what the leaks suggest.

The iPhone 18 is expected to retain a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display, similar to the one on the iPhone 17. The screen could support a 120Hz refresh rate and 1.5K resolution, making scrolling and animations smoother.

Apple could also improve screen brightness. There is speculation about a smaller Dynamic Island, although it remains unclear whether this change will make it to the standard model or remain exclusive to the Pro variants.

Under the hood, the iPhone 18 is tipped to run on Apple's A20 chipset, which could be built using a 2-nanometre manufacturing process. The new chip will definitely offer better performance and power efficiency, potentially helping the phone deliver longer battery life.

However, Apple could make compromises to the chipset to keep costs under control as component prices rise. The final performance gains will depend on the hardware Apple chooses and how it optimises the phone's software.

As for memory, reports offer different possibilities. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reportedly tipped 9GB of RAM for the iPhone 18, while analyst Jeff Pu has suggested that it could get 12GB.

There is also a claim that Apple could use six-channel memory, with 1.5GB per die. The exact configuration remains unclear.

Now for the camera, the iPhone 18 is expected to retain a dual rear camera setup. Details about the camera sensors and any improvements to photography are not yet available.

The phone could also feature Apple's C2 modem, potentially bringing improvements to connectivity and power efficiency. Apple has not confirmed the modem or its capabilities.

iPhone 18 expected price in India

Apple has not announced the price of the iPhone 18, but the cost of its current lineup offers some clues.

The iPhone 17 launched in India at Rs 79,900. Its official price has since increased to Rs 99,900. The iPhone 18 could therefore arrive at around Rs 99,900, although this is only an estimate and not a confirmed price.

The Pro models sit in a much higher price bracket. The iPhone 18 Pro currently starts at Rs 1,64,900 for the 256GB variant, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,79,900 for the same storage configuration.

Whether Apple keeps the standard iPhone 18 close to the Rs 1 lakh mark remains to be seen. For now, the launch timeline, specifications and India pricing are based on leaks and reports, and the final details could change before the phone arrives.

- Ends