Apple mulls iphone 18 plus return amid air disappointment

After years of prioritizing Pro models, Apple might be reconsidering a departed form factor. Reports suggest the company could introduce an iPhone 18 Plus alongside the base iPhone 18 in March, a surprising shift after the underwhelming reception of the iPhone air.

Could the iphone 18 plus signal a comeback?

The potential move, first noted by analyst Tim Long, indicates Apple may be responding to waning interest in smaller iPhones. The iPhone 16 Plus, while a modest seller, represents a departure from the outright failure of the iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini. However, some reports suggest the iPhone Air performed even worse, leading to speculation it might be a niche model or released sporadically, akin to the iPhone SE.

The timeline is also noteworthy. If realized, the iPhone 18 Plus would precede the expected release of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in September, mirroring the launch cadence of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus in 2017. The iPhone Fold, anticipated in December, would follow.

The possibility of an iPhone 18 Plus raises questions about Apple's strategy. While the company has experimented with various form factors, the return of a larger, more affordable iPhone seems a gamble. The iPhone 14 Plus, 15 Plus, and 16 Plus were sales improvements, but the smaller models' decline was undeniable.

Given the lack of prior indication, many remain skeptical. The iPhone Air’s fate remains uncertain, with some suggesting it might remain a one-off release. A return to the Plus format, after its previous struggles, appears a risky proposition. Perhaps variety is the only answer Apple has left.