We’re still months just a few months away from when Apple launches the iPhone 17 series, but people are already eyeing up what Apple is planning for 2026? Why? Well it is heavily anticipated that 2026 will be the year when Apple finally launches their first foldable smartphone.
As a result, Apple is already planning a big shake-up — and it’s not about the design or features. It’s the launch timeline. A new report by The Information suggests that Apple is switching things up in 2026, starting with the iPhone 18 lineup. Instead of dropping all iPhones in one go every September like it usually does, Apple will stagger the release across two separate events.
According to the report, Apple will unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a brand-new iPhone 18 Air at its usual fall event in 2026. And in a major move, that’s also when Apple plans to introduce its first-ever foldable iPhone — a book-style phone with a 5.5-inch outer screen and a 7.8-inch inner display.
The foldable is expected to feature a liquid metal hinge to prevent creasing, and skip Face ID entirely in favour of a Touch ID sensor built into the power button. It could be just 4.5mm thick when unfolded, with a titanium build and a dual-camera setup, and will reportedly carry a price tag of around $2,000.
As for the iPhone 18 Pro models, they’re expected to ditch the Dynamic Island and bring in under-display Face ID for the first time, with just a single front camera cutout. The iPhone 18 Air, meanwhile, is likely to focus on a slim, sleek design — possibly catering to users who want a more minimal iPhone experience.
Unlike previous years, the base iPhone 18 and a new budget-friendly iPhone 18e — a successor to the iPhone 16e — won’t show up until spring 2027. This split rollout is reportedly aimed at easing production pressures, especially as Apple continues to expand its manufacturing footprint in India and reduce dependency on China. It also helps streamline operations and reduces the need for a massive seasonal workforce.
If this new timeline sticks, Apple could be setting the stage for more flexible product launches going forward — especially with AI-powered features and foldable form factors on the rise. By splitting up the launch, it not only makes production smoother, but it also gives each product its own spotlight. And if the foldable iPhone lands as expected, it might just be the beginning of a whole new category — one that could extend to foldable iPads or even MacBooks in the near future.
