Apple won't release a standard iPhone for the first time in years. What's happening and will there be a clamshell iPhone?
Apple is preparing for the biggest overhaul of its iPhone lineup in a decade.
Apple is preparing for the biggest overhaul of its iPhone lineup in a decade.
Apple is preparing for the biggest overhaul of its iPhone lineup in a decade.
According to The Elec, the company will not show the standard iPhone 18 in 2026 — its release will be postponed until 2027.
The reason is the advent of the foldable iPhone, which will debut in the fall of 2026 along with the iPhone 18 Air, Pro, and Pro Max models. And in the spring of the same year, the budget iPhone 17e will be released. The change in schedule is explained by the need to optimize resources for the launch of the foldable device and the desire to maintain interest in the brand throughout the year by releasing iPhones in the spring and fall.
The foldable iPhone Fold is expected to feature a titanium body, an ultra-thin glass display, and a book-like form factor. Its estimated price could reach $2,000.
Starting in 2027, Apple will once again return the standard iPhone to spring releases. This means that there will be six models released each year: e, standard, Air, Pro, Pro Max, and foldable.
The changes are due to falling sales: Apple shipped 225.9 million iPhones in 2024, down from 229.1 million in 2023. The company expects the new launch schedule and foldable form factor to «restart» demand.
Apple has already replaced the Plus model with the thinner iPhone Air, and renamed the budget SE to the «e» series (for example, iPhone 16e).

