April 21, 2026, 2:45 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
While other manufacturers have already had to raise their smartphone prices due to the ongoing RAM crisis, Apple’s supply of memory chips has so far been secure. However, the Californians could also be more affected by rising hardware costs in the future. It has now become known that the company apparently plans to make cuts in the production of the iPhone 18.
Indications of Reduced Features
The well-known leaker “Fixed Focus Digital” writes in a blog post on the Chinese platform Weibo that the iPhone 18 is expected to have “a weaker chip and less RAM.” Apple is reportedly planning to simplify production for cost reasons. This would align it more with the entry-level device iPhone 18e. Allegedly, several sources within the Apple environment have confirmed this to the leaker.
Also of interest: Several Mac models no longer available from Apple
“Fixed Focus Digital” has previously made accurate predictions. According to “MacRumors,” the prediction that the iPhone 17e would still come with a notch turned out to be true. Many insiders were initially convinced that the cheapest iPhone model would feature a display with Dynamic Island. However, this ultimately proved to be incorrect.
iPhone 18 vs. iPhone 18e
There are significant differences between the current iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e. These include the display—size, Dynamic Island, ProMotion, brightness—as well as the additional ultra-wide-angle camera and an extra GPU core in the iPhone 17.
Which of these features will continue to distinguish the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e is currently unknown. If it turns out that Apple is reducing the features of the iPhone 18 for cost reasons, the gap between the two devices is likely to narrow further.
According to the new release schedule, both devices are no longer expected to be released in fall 2026 but rather in spring 2027. For this year, however, the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, as well as a completely new iPhone with a foldable display, which could be called the iPhone Ultra, are planned.
Apple still has some time to prevent the cost-cutting measures for the iPhone 18. Although the company has likely already finalized contracts for the supply of memory chips, there is still plenty of opportunity to set the iPhone 18 on the right course before actual production begins in spring/summer 2027.