Is Samsung the reason behind Apple's iPhone 18 launch delay?

Apple did something peculiar this year. Instead of launching both the base and Pro variants of the iPhone 18 series together, it only launched the iPhone 18 Pro models alongside the first foldable iPhone. Reports claim that the base iPhone 18 will launch in spring 2027 due to memory chip shortages.

But what if Samsung is the real reason behind this delay?

Last year, Apple announced that it will source camera sensors for future iPhones from Samsung. Reports claimed that Apple would start buying 48MP or 200MP camera sensors as part of that agreement.

Now, a new report suggests that Apple delayed the launch of the base iPhone 18 model to 2027 not just because of memory chip shortages, but also to ensure it could source enough camera sensors from Samsung.

Prototyping of Samsung's new camera sensors for iPhones reportedly began in spring 2026, with mass production planned for fall 2026. Because of this timeline, Apple supposedly delayed the standard iPhone 18 launch to spring 2027 to build up a sufficient supply of Samsung's sensors.

In August 2025, Apple announced it was working with Samsung to introduce an “innovative new technology for chip manufacturing.” These chips will be manufactured at Samsung's semiconductor plant in Austin, Texas, though both companies have kept the exact technical specifications a secret.

By bringing Samsung on board as a second supplier, Apple has not only reduced its reliance on Sony but also strengthened US manufacturing. This move forces price competition between Samsung and Sony, which will ultimately help Apple reduce its manufacturing costs.