Apple is reportedly preparing a substantial production run for the standard iPhone 18, following the iPhone 17's success as the world's best-selling smartphone.
In a new Weibo post, the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital" claimed that production of the standard iPhone 18 is scheduled to start in late November, describing the volume of inventory being prepared as "quite large."
Its predecessor has likely given Apple considerable reason for confidence. Following the iPhone 17's initial pre-order weekend, Apple reportedly instructed two suppliers to increase daily output by at least 30%, according to The Information. Counterpoint Research later reported that the standard iPhone 17 led global smartphone sales in both the first and second quarters of 2026. It accounted for 6% of worldwide smartphone unit sales in each quarter, outselling even the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro.
The iPhone 18 is expected to retain a broadly similar design, with potential upgrades including a smaller Dynamic Island, the A20 chip, and Apple's C2 modem. It is expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2 in spring 2027. A late-November production start would give Apple several months to build inventory ahead of launch.
