At Apple's fall launch event, the company took an unusual step by skipping the base iPhone 18 entirely. The event, called 'surprise and shine,' featured only premium iPhone models: the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.

In addition to the Pro lineup, Apple also introduced a new foldable iPhone called the iPhone Duo. The decision to forgo a standard base model marks a departure from Apple's typical product strategy, though rumors had circulated beforehand suggesting the company might pursue this premium-focused approach.