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 yr positive appear quite a bit just like the iPhones of 2021.
That began to vary in 2025. Within the spring, a brand new technique for extra reasonably priced 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 yr:
iPhone 17e
Within the spring, the successor to the iPhone 16e would be the iPhone 17e (naturally). Final yr, when Apple up to date its price range cellphone line from the seldom-refreshed “iPhone SE” to a numbered launch “iPhone 16e,” it signaled that the “e” mannequin can 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 prone 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 nearly sure to get MagSafe help after it was oddly left off this yr’s mannequin. However there could possibly 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 count on the brand new cellphone to value the identical $599 as this yr’s mannequin. Due to this fact, it is going to nonetheless be arduous to suggest 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 vast, 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 Huge digicam. This could assist enable customers to take pictures the place each the foreground and background are sharp when in good lighting, whereas permitting extra mild for nighttime pictures.
The iPhone 17 Professional’s new look will doubtless stick round for one more yr.
Britta O’Boyle
We’ve additionally seen a rumor that a few of the Face ID sensors will discover their manner underneath the show, which can shrink the dimensions of the Dynamic Island space and even cut 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 count on 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 can be a brand new chip subsequent yr, as there’s yearly, however the A20 could possibly be a much bigger increase than typical. It’s stated to be utilizing a brand new Wafer-Stage Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) packaging technique that can transfer the chip’s RAM into the SoC package deal itself, which might carry 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 yr, although. In keeping with rumors, subsequent yr will lastly be when Apple truly introduces a folding iPhone. We’ve heard the iPhone Fold is coming “in a few years” since a minimum of 2018, however it seems prefer it actually will arrive in 2026.
The folding iPhone is alleged to be a “e-book” model folding cellphone with a 5.3-5.5-inch display when folded and a 7.7-8-inch inside show. It needs to be lower than 10mm thick when folded, and even thinner than an iPhone Air when unfolded. Most studies say the within show can be widescreen somewhat than sq. like different folding telephones. Moreover, Apple has reportedly solved the creasing downside and has developed a “very sturdy” 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: vast and ultra-wide. There needs to 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 function of both of them, although. The compact and ultra-thin design may necessitate a swap to Contact ID within the aspect button, as seen on the iPad Air.
Above all, count on an eye-watering value. Most rumors recommend Apple will cost over $2,000 for the iPhone Fold (or no matter it’s known as), with a determine of $2,400 not unrealistic.
However even with a sky-high price ticket, it’s nonetheless thrilling that we could lastly get a have a look at what Apple has been engaged on all these years. So, be sure you take a look at our article on every little thing 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 reduce manufacturing of this yr’s Air and delayed the second-gen mannequin, others say it’s coming in 2026, and a report from The Info in December 2025 stated it will launch in spring 2027.
So we don’t know. The most important 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 doubtless, however it’s unclear whether or not will probably be a minor refresh with an A20 chip and another minor enhancements or a large improve with a second digicam, one in all our greatest complaints concerning the present iPhone Air. If it’s the latter, it’s prone 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 yr!
In fact, the primary folding iPhone can be the large Apple information of 2026, however simply as important is the shake-up to the iPhone launch schedule. If the present leaks are correct, there can be no iPhone 18 subsequent yr.
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 yr. It is going to presumably be 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.
