For the final a number of years, the iPhone line has been caught in a rut. Incremental enhancements to efficiency and battery life are nice, however the iPhones of final 12 months positive appear lots just like the iPhones of 2021.
That began to alter in 2025. Within the spring, a brand new technique for extra inexpensive iPhones, with the iPhone 16e changing the previous SE line. Then within the fall, the iPhone 17 fashions (extra incremental enhancements) have been joined by the primary actually new iPhone in years: iPhone Air. However that’s simply the beginning: In 2026, the iPhone shakeup will actually kick into gear. Right here’s what Apple is planning for subsequent 12 months:
iPhone 17e
Within the spring, the successor to the iPhone 16e would be the iPhone 17e (naturally). Final 12 months, when Apple up to date its funds telephone line from the seldom-refreshed “iPhone SE” to a numbered launch “iPhone 16e,” it signaled that the “e” mannequin could be a yearly replace, and rumors say Apple will do precisely that.
The iPhone 16e’s successor may look extra just like the iPhone 17.
David Value / Foundry
The iPhone 17e is more likely to be a refreshed iPhone 16e: Count on a 60Hz show and a single rear 48MP digicam, with an improve to the A19 processor and C1X modem, and twice the beginning storage (256GB). And we’re virtually sure to get MagSafe assist after it was oddly left off this 12 months’s mannequin. However there might be two potential main upgrades as effectively: the notch could also be changed by the Dynamic Island, and the entrance digicam could also be upgraded to the brand new 18MP square-sensor entrance digicam discovered within the iPhone 17 line.
We anticipate the brand new telephone to value the identical $599 as this 12 months’s mannequin. Subsequently, it’s going to nonetheless be arduous to advocate it over the usual iPhone 17, which begins at $799 and can nonetheless have a number of options not discovered within the 17e, together with ProMotion and a second ultra-wide digicam.
iPhone 18 Professional
Within the fall, Apple will introduce the iPhone 18 Professional, accompanied by a bigger Professional Max variant. Visually, they need to seem similar to the iPhone 17 Professional, with a large digicam “plateau” on the again and three rear cameras, together with broad, ultra-wide, and telephoto.
These are anticipated to have bigger apertures on the telephoto cameras, whereas the Professional Max variant will reportedly get a mechanically-adjustable aperture on the usual Extensive digicam. This could assist permit customers to take photographs the place each the foreground and background are sharp when in good lighting, whereas permitting extra gentle for nighttime pictures.
The iPhone 17 Professional’s new look will probably stick round for one more 12 months.
Britta O’Boyle
We’ve additionally seen a rumor that among the Face ID sensors will discover their approach beneath the show, which is able to shrink the dimensions of the Dynamic Island space and even scale back it to a easy “punch gap” digicam design. A report in December claimed that the digicam will transfer to the left nook for the primary time, which might imply the Dynamic Island disappears altogether. We additionally anticipate the iPhone 18 Professional fashions to make use of Apple’s next-generation C2 modem in addition to the N1 networking chip or its successor, too.
In fact, there might be a brand new chip subsequent 12 months, as there may be yearly, however the A20 might be an even bigger increase than regular. It’s mentioned to be utilizing a brand new Wafer-Stage Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) packaging methodology that may transfer the chip’s RAM into the SoC bundle itself, which might deliver important boosts in efficiency and battery life.
iPhone Fold
The iPhone 18 Professional fashions received’t be what everyone seems to be speaking about subsequent 12 months, although. In keeping with rumors, subsequent 12 months will lastly be when Apple really introduces a folding iPhone. We’ve heard the iPhone Fold is coming “in a few years” since at the very least 2018, nevertheless it seems to be prefer it actually will arrive in 2026.
The folding iPhone is claimed to be a “guide” fashion folding telephone with a 5.3-5.5-inch display screen when folded and a 7.7-8-inch inside show. It must be lower than 10mm thick when folded, and even thinner than an iPhone Air when unfolded. Most studies say the within show might be widescreen moderately than sq. like different folding telephones. Moreover, Apple has reportedly solved the creasing downside and has developed a “very robust” hinge.
Apple’s folding iPhone will reportedly be extra widescereen that choices from Samsung and Google.
Luke Baker
Count on an A20 or A20 Professional and two rear cameras: broad and ultra-wide. There must be a pair of entrance cameras as effectively: one for when the iPhone is folded up and one for when it’s open. Face ID won’t be a characteristic of both of them, although. The compact and ultra-thin design may necessitate a change to Contact ID within the facet button, as seen on the iPad Air.
Above all, anticipate an eye-watering value. Most rumors recommend Apple will cost over $2,000 for the iPhone Fold (or no matter it’s referred to as), with a determine of $2,400 not unrealistic.
However even with a sky-high price ticket, it’s nonetheless thrilling that we might lastly get a have a look at what Apple has been engaged on all these years. So, be sure you try our article on the whole lot we all know to date concerning the folding iPhone for the most recent rumors.
iPhone Air 2?
Will there be one other iPhone Air? The rumors are combined. Some say Apple has lower manufacturing of this 12 months’s Air and delayed the second-gen mannequin, others say it’s coming in 2026, and a report from The Data in December 2025 mentioned it might launch in spring 2027.
So we don’t know. The largest query is, why doesn’t the present model have a quantity? If Apple meant yearly updates, why not name it iPhone 17 Air?
A next-generation iPhone Air appears probably, nevertheless it’s unclear whether or not it will likely be a minor refresh with an A20 chip and another minor enhancements or an enormous improve with a second digicam, certainly one of our largest complaints concerning the present iPhone Air. If it’s the latter, it’s more likely to launch in 2027.
The iPhone Air 2 may need a second digicam—however won’t arrive till 2027.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
No iPhone 18 subsequent 12 months!
In fact, the primary folding iPhone might be the huge Apple information of 2026, however simply as important is the shake-up to the iPhone launch schedule. If the present leaks are correct, there might be no iPhone 18 subsequent 12 months.
As a substitute, Apple will launch solely the Professional fashions, the folding iPhone, and the iPhone Air successor subsequent fall. The iPhone 18—the “base” mannequin hottest with shoppers—received’t be launched till the next 12 months. It can presumably be a part of the iPhone 18e for a launch round March of 2027; a springtime occasion for individuals who don’t wish to spend $1,000 or extra on a brand new iPhone.
