While the iPhone 18 Pro is out, the entry-level model has been held back until early next year. That’s likely because the company wanted to maximize early production capacity and memory availability for the Pro model, alongside the iPhone Duo.
But even this far ahead, one leaker has suggested that supply-chain orders indicate Apple is optimistic about demand for the base model …
Apple broke with tradition this year in launching only the Pro models of the new iPhone lineup, that is, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The base model iPhone 18 was nowhere to be seen.
There are likely a couple of reasons for this. First, the memory shortage meant that the company probably wanted to ensure there was enough supply for both the two iPhone 18 Pro models and the iPhone Duo.
Second with the iPhone Duo a more complex device, production demands are likely greater, even for a model likely to sell in relatively modest numbers thanks to the high price. For that reason, Apple may have wanted to give its manufacturing partners some breathing space by not launching the standard iPhone 18 at the same time.
Apple begins its production runs significantly ahead of iPhone launches in order to build up stock ready to meet initial demand. Production of the iPhone 18 is expected to begin at the end of November.
Leaker Fixed Focus Digital (FFD) says that inventory levels indicate that the company is gearing up for a significant stockpile of devices. This presumably refers to component orders placed within Apple’s supply chain.
The standard version of iPhone 18 is scheduled for production at the end of November, and judging by the inventory levels, the stockpile is quite substantial.
9to5Mac’s Take
Order levels within Apple’s supply chain are not necessarily a reliable indicator of production volumes. Apple prefers to have multiple suppliers for as many components as possible in order to negotiate the best possible pricing as well as protect against any issues experienced by individual manufacturers. It’s possible that FFD has visibility into a single supplier that happens to be favored by Apple at this point in the run-up to production.
For this reason, we shouldn’t read too much into this report. However, the leaker does have a decent track record, so let’s call it an interesting indication that Apple may be expecting strong demand for the upcoming iPhone 18.
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