Apple is planning a busy few years for the iPhone lineup. Internal plans point to eight new models launching between 2026 and 2027, including Apple’s first foldable iPhone and a bold iPhone 20 redesign. If you use an iPhone, these changes affect what you may want to buy or skip in the coming years.
According to a detailed report from The Information, Apple’s internal roadmap shows a mix of safe updates and big experiments. Some models focus on small refinements, while others introduce new designs, camera systems, and display technology.
iPhone 17e arrives in spring 2026
Timeline: Apple will likely launch the iPhone 17e in March.
Apple has scheduled a “special Apple Experience” event for March 4, 2026, with simultaneous gatherings in New York, London, and Shanghai. Industry reports and rumors indicate that the affordable iPhone 17e will be the main highlight of this launch. The release dates are rumored to be as follows:
- Announcement Event: March 4, 2026
- Pre-orders Start: Likely within a few days of the announcement
- General Availability: Shipping and in-store availability by the end of March 2026
This model is described as an incremental update over the iPhone 16e. It will use Apple’s newer C1X modem and bring back a feature many users missed. The phone will have a glass back with support for magnetic wireless charging. The current iPhone 16e supports Qi charging but does not support magnetic charging.
iPhone 18 Pro models target fall 2026
Timeline: Apple is developing the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max for fall 2026.
These models will feature under-display Face ID. Apple will move the front camera to the top left corner of the screen. This change allows for a cleaner display while keeping Face ID intact.
The report also says Apple will add a mechanical aperture to at least one rear camera. This change helps the camera capture more light at night while avoiding washed-out photos during the day.
Visually, these phones will look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro. Inside, Apple will use a new chip design from TSMC that places memory closer to the main processor. This improves efficiency and performance.
iPhone Fold planned for fall 2026
Timeline: Apple is working on its first foldable iPhone for this year’s launch.
When unfolded, the iPhone Fold will have a 7.7-inch display with an iPad-like aspect ratio. When folded, the display will measure 5.3 inches. The phone will be wider than it is tall when open.
One person involved in the project cautioned that display sizes could still change.
Apple is reportedly facing a high number of display defects during development and trial production. This is expected at this stage. The selfie camera will sit in the upper left corner alongside light and proximity sensors.
Base iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in spring 2027
Timeline: Apple will likely release the base iPhone 18 in spring 2027.
This model will receive another incremental update. Apple plans to remove haptic feedback and touch sensing from the Camera Control button.
Apple will also launch the iPhone 18e in spring 2027. Details are limited, but the phone will support wireless charging, similar to its predecessor.
iPhone Air 2 gets a rethink
Timeline: Apple is still working on the iPhone Air 2 for spring 2027.
Apple went back to the drawing board after poor sales of the first iPhone Air. The company is considering adding a second rear camera and lowering the price to make the model more appealing.
iPhone 20 targets a bold redesign in fall 2027
We previously reported that Apple is planning a major redesign for the iPhone 20 to mark the iPhone’s 20th anniversary.
The Information adds new details about this design. The phone will use curved glass on the front, back, and all four edges. This allows Apple to remove the black border around the display edges.
It is unclear if the display itself will curve. Instead of a full metal frame, the phone will use a narrow metal band around the middle where the buttons sit. Apple also plans to place the selfie camera under the display, creating a true edge-to-edge screen with no cutouts.
If these plans hold, the next two years will bring some of the biggest iPhone changes since the original Face ID redesign.
