New iPhone 2018 release date, price & specs rumors

Apple's iPhone update in the autumn of 2018 could see three or even four new iPhones launch at the same time.
 
In this article we look at all the rumours regarding the successor to the iPhone X, as well as the expected larger iPhone X Plus: their release date, prices, design changes, tech specs and new features (such as Face ID, which sources say will feature in all the new models). We will also look at the successors to the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, which could be known as the iPhone 9 and iPhone 9 Plus.
 
We also think Apple is likely to launch a successor to the iPhone SE in the spring of 2018, and we have a separate article addressing those rumours here: iPhone SE 2 news. And for advice related to the current lineup, you may prefer to read our iPhone buying guide and our roundup of the best iPhone deals.
 
What will the new iPhones be called?
 
Here are some of the possibilities:
 
iPhone 9 and iPhone 9 Plus
iPhone 11 and 11 Plus (aka iPhone XI and XI Plus)
iPhone Xs and Xs Plus
iPhone X Plus (to join the existing iPhone X)
Or just plain iPhone and iPhone Plus
 
There are enough potential names for the new 2018 iPhone that we could probably write a whole article just about that! Tell us what you think in the poll below.
 
Release date for the new iPhones
 
We expect the successor(s) to the iPhones 8 and X to be unveiled in September 2018. This would be exactly a year after the iPhone 8 launched, and is in line with Apple's usual habit of launching a new flagship iPhone in September.
 
However, in 2017 the company didn't launch all of its new iPhones at the same time. The launch of the iPhone X came one month after the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. Whether this was due to delays or intentional isn't completely clear. Apple may have seen some benefit from pent-up demand for the iPhone X, and it may have sold more iPhone 8 handsets than it would have if the iPhone X had been available sooner. More likely Apple struggled with component availability and manufacturing issues.
 
We don't expect there will be a staggered launch for the new iPhone in autumn 2018, though.
 
KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo doesn't think Apple will miss the September launch date in 2018. Kuo believes Apple's focus in 2018 will be to ensure that all the new models are ready to meet the same shipping date. "Achieving stable shipments and on-time shipping," he said in a research note to clients in October 2017.
 
iPhone 2018 prices
 
The iPhone X was positioned by Apple as a premium iPhone with a premium price - starting at £999/$999, while the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus were priced at £699/$699 and £799/$799 accordingly.
 
Apparently in 2018 you will be able to get an iPhone X-style handset for less - if a (Chinese-language) Economic Daily article from October 2017 is to be believed.
 
According to that site, more than one successor to the iPhone X is in the works - along with the top-tier iPhone X successor, there will be more budget friendly model to attract new customers.
 
This 'budget' iPhone X-style iPhone is codenamed Hangzhou, while the more expensive version is codenamed Lisboa, according to Economic Daily.
 
The claims of Economic Daily seem to be backed up by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who also claims that Apple will introduce a cheaper iPhone that will feature many of the same features as the iPhone X including a bezel-less display. In order to keep costs down this unit will feature an LCD-TFT screen and fewer pixels. (More on this handset below).
 
This cheaper handset will cost between $649 and $749, according to Kuo. (We'd expect that to translate to £649-£749, which could be a discount of £50 on the price of the iPhone 8 currently).
 
 

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