Apple might rejig its iPhone release cycle in a big way in 2026, releasing high-end models in the fall and less-expensive models in the spring. If the rumor proves true, Apple would change things up to make room in its lineup for the first foldable iPhone.
iPhone release timeline could change in a big way in 2026
Apple typically holds one yearly iPhone launch event in September to unveil its newest models. The devices then go on sale within a few weeks. Once every couple of years, it releases a budget-oriented iPhone in the spring, like the iPhone 16e earlier this year.
Starting in 2026, though, Apple could throw that abandon that template. The Information reports that Apple will launch the iPhone 18 Pro in the fall of 2026 alongside an iPhone Air and a foldable model. The company then would delay the release of the regular iPhone 18 until spring of 2027.
Given the popularity of non-Pro iPhones in a price-sensitive market, this would mark a significant shift for Apple. However, a staggered release would help put the media spotlight on the Pro and foldable iPhones for a longer time. This could push their sales higher, boosting Apple’s profit margins and ASP due to the models’ higher retail prices.
A spring release for iPhone 18?
With two Pro models, one Air and a foldable iPhone already in the pipeline, adding the regular iPhone 18 would push Apple’s fall 2026 lineup to six devices — all launching within a matter of weeks. This would have put a heavy load on the company’s supply chain.
This move also makes sense when you consider that Apple will drop the iPhone Plus entirely this year, replacing it with the long-rumored iPhone Air. Given that other devices are more important, the company could delay the launch of the regular iPhone 18 model to spring 2027 without negatively affecting sales.
Rajesh has been closely following and writing about the latest happenings in the world of mobile for nearly a decade now. While he prefers Android, he does not deny the superiority of Apple’s products and ecosystem.
