Apple’s most anticipated product in years may hit shelves at the end of the year, and a surprise iPhone model might follow a few months later.
According to a research note sent to clients of investment bank Barclays (via MacRumors) earlier this month, Apple analyst Tim Long said his supply chain sources indicate that shipments of the long-rumored foldable iPhone will likely begin in December 2025, a few months after the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max launch in the usual September window.
A Split Launch for iPhone 18
Long also weighed in on the ongoing rumors about Apple splitting the iPhone 18 launch into two phases. He said his supply chain contacts mentioned the possibility of the iPhone 18 base model being announced in March 2026, rather than alongside the Pro models in September. That would make it the second year in a row, if it holds true, that Apple separates its lineup across two events, a strategy that has been widely reported by multiple sources in recent months.
The Plus Is Back? Maybe.
The mention of an iPhone 18 Plus is the most eyebrow-raising claim in Long’s note, because no other analyst or leaker has floated the idea. Not one rumor.
That silence matters. At this point in the product cycle, credible leaks about a March device would typically be surfacing from multiple directions. The fact that Long appears to be alone on this suggests two possibilities: either he received unique intelligence from his supply chain contacts that no one else has, or he’s speculating based on business logic rather than concrete sourcing.
The business case for a Plus isn’t crazy. Apple has never officially broken down iPhone sales by model, but third-party research firms and supply chain data have consistently pointed to the Plus being a weak seller, and early signals suggest the iPhone 16e Air hasn’t fared much better. If the Air underperformed even more than the Plus did, Apple could theoretically pivot back to the familiar “Plus” branding. There’s also an open question of whether the Air was ever meant to be a permanent fixture in the lineup or just a one-off experiment.
Take It With a Grain of Salt
Long’s note is the first time any of these specific claims, the December foldable shipments, the March iPhone 18 base model, and the iPhone 18 Plus, have surfaced together. Supply chain analysts with Barclays-level access often have genuine insight, but even well-sourced predictions can miss the mark.
The foldable iPhone timeline, at least, aligns with what we know: Apple has been working on a clamshell-style foldable for years, and a late 2025 release has been considered likely by several reputable sources. The rest, especially the Plus, warrants skepticism until more sources back it up.
As always with Apple, the clearest picture will emerge as we get closer to September.
