A projection has emerged that Apple is expanding parts orders to increase initial supply of the base iPhone 18 model.

On Oct. 14, IT outlet 9to5Mac reported, citing supply-chain order trends, that Apple appears to be seeking to secure ample initial sales inventory for the model.

Apple has so far launched only the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max from this year’s new iPhone lineup. Unlike previous years, the base iPhone 18 has not been unveiled, and its release is said to have been pushed back to early 2027. Memory shortages and a reshuffle of production priorities are cited as reasons for the schedule change.

Apple appears to have focused its production capacity first on the two iPhone 18 Pro models and the iPhone Duo. With memory supply tight, it needed to stabilise supply of Pro models first, and the iPhone Duo’s more complex structure has also been reflected in the assessment as a device with a heavy production burden. The iPhone Duo could see limited sales because of its high price, but its high manufacturing difficulty may have required more capacity to manage initial production, the report said.

IT tipster Fixed Focus Digital (FFD) claimed, citing inventory levels, that Apple is preparing a substantial stockpile. This aligns with Apple’s existing approach of building sufficient inventory ahead of an iPhone launch to meet initial demand.

Production schedules also support the outlook. iPhone 18 production is expected to begin in late November. Apple has typically started production well ahead of launch to secure early sales volume. Because the base model will come later than the Pro models, it may concentrate on building inventory up to the actual launch.

Still, supply-chain order volumes alone make it difficult to conclude the final production scale. Apple has used a strategy of securing multiple sources for as many parts as possible. The structure is intended to raise price bargaining power and hedge against problems at any particular manufacturer. As a result, the current order flow could reflect conditions at only some suppliers rather than the entire supply chain.

Even so, the signal is being read as a sign that Apple is not viewing demand for the base iPhone 18 as weak. If Apple expands base-model volumes after a Pro-led early launch strategy, this year’s iPhone 18 series could maintain overall sales momentum while operating split release timings.

There are two points to watch. They are how much Apple will actually ramp up base-model production from late November, and whether it can balance supply across Pro models, the iPhone Duo and the base model despite pressure from tight memory supply. With the base-model launch expected in early next year, changes in parts orders and production schedules are expected to be key indicators for gauging expectations for iPhone 18 sales.