Commentary: As someone who has been writing about the iPhone for over a decade, I'm ready to see Apple step it up in this perhaps unexpected way.

That's a big problem for Apple, because it means fewer iPhone sales and the risk of losing market share to rivals, including Samsung. According to data from Telemetry, the most commonly owned iPhone is the iPhone 13, representing 16.3% of all iPhones in use.

The Bengaluru plant, located in Devanahalli, received project approval in 2023 and was established at an investment of approximately $2.8 billion (around Rs. 24,400 crore). The facility is already producing components for the iPhone 17 after importing key parts from China starting in June.

According to a report from ET News, the premium versions of the iPhone 18 series -- but not the base model -- will be released in September 2026, along with the first foldable iPhone. The base iPhone 18 will be launched in the first half of 2027, the report said.

Apple is expected to launch its new iPhone 17 lineup in September. Here’s the launch timeline and other expected products to be launched by Apple.

The base model iPhone 18 might not make its debut until spring 2027, reportedly so Apple can showcase new foldables. Higher-end iPhone 18 models are still on tap for 2026, though.

Commentary: I've been writing about the iPhone for over a decade. I'm ready to see Apple step it up in this perhaps unexpected way.

Apple stock has been creeping higher recently as the consumer electronics giant prepares to unveil its iPhone 17 smartphones.