Apple’s next-generation iPhone plans are starting to take shape. Trial production of the iPhone 18 lineup is reportedly set to begin shortly after the Chinese New Year, pointing to February as a key milestone in the long road to launch.
According to a China-based industry source, small-scale manufacturing runs will start once factories resume operations following the Lunar New Year shutdown, which usually ends in the second half of February. This early step suggests Apple is quietly locking in its hardware plans well ahead of the public debut.
Why trial production matters for Apple
Trial production is a crucial checkpoint in Apple’s product cycle. It allows Apple and its manufacturing partners to test assembly processes, spot yield problems, and fine-tune production lines before ramping up to mass manufacturing.
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The reported timing fits Apple’s usual rhythm for flagship iPhones that are still more than a year away from release. Once a device reaches this stage, the biggest design decisions are typically already made.
iPhone 18 Pro design likely locked in
The same source claims that production lines for the iPhone 18 Pro models are already in place. That’s a strong hint that the core hardware design for the Pro variants has been finalised.
If that’s true, don’t expect dramatic visual changes. The iPhone 18 Pro is widely expected to stick close to the look of the iPhone 17 Pro, including the triple-lens rear camera setup housed in Apple’s newer camera plateau design. Any tweaks are likely to be subtle, with the real upgrades happening under the hood.
Split launch strategy gains momentum
This production timeline also adds weight to reports that Apple is planning a staggered iPhone launch. Under this approach, the iPhone 18 Pro models would arrive first, likely in September 2026.
The standard iPhone 18 and a more affordable iPhone 18e could then follow months later, possibly in spring 2027. A split launch would help Apple spread demand across the year and better manage manufacturing capacity—especially as the lineup grows more complex.
What to expect from iPhone 18 hardware
On the non-Pro side, the standard iPhone 18 is tipped to get a bump to 12GB of RAM, narrowing the gap with Pro models. It’s also expected to run on Apple’s next-generation A20 chip, built on TSMC’s advanced 2nm process, promising better performance and power efficiency.
To keep costs in check, Apple may simplify the Camera Control button by dropping its capacitive sensor, while still keeping pressure-sensitive input for key functions.
The iPhone 18 Pro models, meanwhile, are expected to push harder on new tech. Rumoured highlights include an A20 Pro chip, under-display Face ID to reduce visible cutouts, and camera upgrades such as a variable aperture system and a new three-layer stacked image sensor supplied by Samsung.
Apple is also said to be preparing its custom C2 modem for the Pro models, continuing its gradual move away from third-party connectivity components.
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What comes next
None of these details are official yet. But trial production is often the point where Apple’s plans start to solidify. If the February timeline holds, more concrete leaks and supply-chain details are likely to surface over the next year as the iPhone 18 moves closer to mass production.
For now, all signs point to Apple playing a long, carefully staged game with its 2026–27 iPhone lineup.
