Apple's Potential iPhone Roadmap: Radical Changes Ahead for 2026-2027
Famous industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has supposedly laid out a potential "roadmap" for Apple's iPhones over the course of the next two years. If this leak is legitimate, we could be in for some radical changes to the usual iPhone release cycle that we've become familiar with.
It looks like Apple might be preparing to mix things up fairly radically, possibly departing from its traditional fall-only release for all of its main models.
What Does 2026 Have in Store for iPhones
According to this unofficial sneak peek, early 2026 could see an "iPhone 17e." Then, in the fall, instead of a numbered base model as is customary, Apple might unveil a diverse foursome:
- iPhone 18 Air: Should be the same size as the iPhone 17 Air.
- iPhone 18 Pro: Might have a hole-punch screen, but strangely, within the Dynamic Island area.
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Essentially, a larger sibling to the iPhone 18 Pro.
- iPhone 18 Fold: This is the big one – Apple's very first foldable, clamshell iPhone.
And Looking Further to 2027
The pace doesn't seem to slow down in 2027, with up to six new iPhones on the horizon. The year could begin with two spring launches:
- iPhone 18: The regular model that was seemingly skipped in the fall of 2026.
- iPhone 18e: Another "e" variant, following the 17e.
Then, for the fall 2027 event, we could see:
- iPhone 19 Air: Reportedly with a larger screen than the iPhone 18 Air.
- iPhone 19 Pro: This could be the year of a totally uninterrupted screen, without holes and cutouts.
- iPhone 19 Pro Max: Again, a bigger sibling to the Pro.
- iPhone 19 Fold: Apple's second-generation folding phone.
A New Normal for iPhone Releases
If this roadmap is accurate, it's a massive shift in strategy. The standard iPhone release would move to the spring, with a foldable one taking its place in the fall lineup. We're also hearing that this year the "Air" moniker might replace the "Plus" model we've been getting in recent years. It's a lot to take in, and of course, these are predictions at this time. But one thing is for sure – iPhone's future in the next few years may be very exciting.
Source: Ming-Chi Kuo (Industry Analyst)
