Apple appears set to begin iPhone 18 (test) production soon

Something that appears to have started earlier than ever before, Apple is allegedly already test manufacturing of the next model of its basic smartphone, the iPhone 18.

This news follows speculation from multiple sources, including legendary Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said, “Apple is expected to begin trial production of the iPhone 18 series in January, which is earlier than previous years.”

Apple seems right on target to do so. A report on 9-5Mac tells us test production of the iPhone 18 should begin next month, which suggests speculation Apple plans twin iPhone launches in 2026 may be correct. The intention will be to introduce Pro models next fall, with the entry-level and ‘e’-series models set to debut in the spring. It might simply be that the company wants to test production early, as it must make sure certain production processes are working correctly to support international rollout. The plan should help the company better manage component supply (particularly around memory), manufacturing, and logistics. 

The iPhone 17 series has been a huge success for Apple. And as the company widens the number of devices it sells, it must also diversify and expand its supply chain to meet demand, which is expected to rise. It should also widen the company’s addressable market, make its revenues more predictable, and enable it to offer a wider range of iPhones. 

The complex manufacturing supply chain

iPhones are currently manufactured in China and across India. Apple is accelerating the transition of manufacturing to India. Apple partner Foxconn has been investing deeply in the expansion of factories in India, hiring roughly 30,000 workers during the last nine months for its plant in Devanahalli. Apple is also looking to source more iPhone components locally.

Foxconn’s new factory is eventually expected to host up to a dozen iPhone assembly lines across its 250,000 square foot production floor. That’s interesting because the same factory first began testing iPhone 16 production in April and now also makes iPhone 17 Pro Max models.

We know a huge number of iPhones made in India (about 80%) are eventually sold in the US, and we can surmise a three- to six- month gap between test manufacture and shipping product. That timelines indicates a March or April introduction of the new iPhone 18, which also suggests Apple will introduce us to the other iPhone models it plans to launch then.

What iPhones will Apple introduce this spring?

Previous speculation claims Apple plans to introduce two Phones this coming spring: the iPhone 18 and the new iPhone ‘e’ models. These will be followed later by iPhone Pro models and the cutting-edge iPhone Fold. The new devices will be supported by Apple Intelligence and company partnerships with third-party AI services, and will be powered by Apple Silicon, which means iPhones can handle a growing number of tasks using AI on the device.

If Apple gets the mix right, it is likely that iPhones will continue to dominate the smartphone category on a global basis. It’s also clear that part of the company’s plan is to try and grab a bigger chunk of the mid-range market, driven by the high performance but affordable iPhone 18e device. (Many Android makers in the sector will struggle to maintain price and profitability as memory costs increase.)

“Apple’s introduction of a more affordable iPhone 18e is a strategic move to capture the mid-range market, especially as Android manufacturers face rising component costs,” said CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood.

Later on, it’s possible the iPhone Fold will prompt millions of iPhone users to upgrade their devices sooner than thought once it does ship, spurring further growth in the second-user markets as people sell their old iPhones to help purchase the foldable. 

Second user or newly acquired, Apple’s services arm will certainly benefit, as new second user iPhone owners explore the platform experience. In doing so, it becomes more likely they will upgrade to a new iPhone in future. This is the energy Apple will unleash as it diversifies its smartphone platform next year – an energy which, alongside new products and a (hopefully) functional Siri, will likely form the foundations for the company’s next decade in tech.

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