Apple Plans Split iPhone Launch Strategy: Pro and Foldable in Fall 2026, Standard in Spring 2027

[MacRumors]

Starting in 2026, Apple plans to change the release cycle for its flagship iPhone lineup, according to The Information. Apple will release the more expensive iPhone 18 Pro models in the fall, delaying the release of the standard iPhone 18 until the spring.

The shift may be because Apple plans to debut a foldable iPhone in 2026, which will join the existing iPhone lineup. The fall release will include the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, an iPhone 18 Air, and the new foldable iPhone.

Later, in spring 2027, Apple will release the standard iPhone 18 and an updated version of the iPhone 16e. The less expensive iPhone models will undergo manufacturing trials in India as Apple expands efforts to reduce its reliance on Chinese manufacturing.

Shifting the release schedule will make it easier for Apple to manage an iPhone lineup that has six devices instead of five, as The Information suggests that a staggered launch would cut down on the number of manufacturing workers that Apple needs to employ at one time.

The 2026 Pro iPhone models could have under-display Face ID for the first time, with the hardware needed for facial recognition embedded underneath the display. A pinhole would remain for the front-facing camera.

The foldable 2026 iPhone will have a book-style design with a 5.7-inch outer display when closed and an inner display close to eight inches when open.

Article Link: Apple Plans Split iPhone Launch Strategy: Pro and Foldable in Fall 2026, Standard in Spring 2027

 

[akula1488]

wow, this actually makes sense.

 

[sunapple]

So including software that would mean:

Fall - Pro phone + delayed software features from last Spring

Spring - regular phone + delayed software features from last Fall

 

[akula1488]

also release the more expensive models before the Holiday season

 

[tonmischa]

Bring back the mini.

 

[pdaholic]

After using a z Fold 6 for a month, I’m not buying another iPhone unless it’s foldable.

 

[JohnC1959]

So including software that would mean:

Fall - Pro phone + delayed software features from last Spring

Spring - regular phone + delayed software features from last Fall

They should really release the new iOS versions at totally different times than the hardware to avoid the confusion of the software being strongly linked to the hardware.

 

[sunapple]

They should really release the new iOS versions at totally different times than the hardware to avoid the confusion of the software being strongly linked to the hardware.

It’s all marketing. They won’t do that. But they should just release when ready, I do agree.

 

[Anonymous123]

1. Staggering a release like this is a typical move to sell the more expensive units first to those who don’t want to wait longer to purchase.

2. The fact that they have to split up the release because there are so many different models feels like they are trying to solve a problem that shouldn’t be there in the first place.

 

[phenste]

After using a z Fold 6 for a month, I’m not buying another iPhone unless it’s foldable.

thank you for saying this—for all of the hate the concept of an iPhone fold/flip gets on here, every person I’ve known who’s bought an Android fold/flip has loved it. I can see how it’s a useful paradigm shift and not just change for change; still not sure if I want one, but certainly intrigued to see what Apple cooks up.

(maybe without Cook though? given recent events I don’t wanna get too into because this isn’t PRSI? l o l)

 

[golfnut1982]

Fair question here. What is so desirable about a folding iPhone? I see thicker phone, scratchable screen, not very durable, hinge as a weakpoint and high cost.

 

[sw1tcher]

Starting in 2026, Apple plans to change the release cycle for its flagship iPhone lineup, according to The Information.

The shift may be because Apple plans to debut a foldable iPhone in 2026, which will join the existing iPhone lineup. The fall release will include the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, an iPhone 18 Air, and the new foldable iPhone.

The Air is considered a "flagship" iPhone? 😯

TIL that "flagship" iPhones have worse battery life. 😂

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www.macrumors.com

If there's going to be a staggered release cycle, then release 3 in the fall (Pro, Pro Max, foldable) and 3 in the Spring (e, regular, and Air).

 

[goodthymes]

Fair question here. What is so desirable about a folding iPhone? I see thicker phone, scratchable screen, not very durable, hinge as a weakpoint and high cost.

Personally speaking, I prefer a smaller phone - especially in (front or back) pocket when on the go. I do not use my phone as a consumption device. I would never buy a Motorola but was recently at Bestbuy and got to look over their flip phone and liked the feel and size of a lot. If Apple ever get around making something comparable it would be an instant replacement for my iPhone mini 12/13.

 

[KillerScoregasm]

I remember the days when I was hooked to the rumors, keynotes, and new devices. Now, I just find myself sitting at the Genius Bar with my buggy iPhone 16 Pro waiting for a pretty young thing to come along and show me a better time.

In all seriousness though, Apple better consider hard and fast their strategies. Lots of Apple users are ready for the next big thing even if that means leaving the Apple ecosystem. Myself included.

 

[foobarbaz]

Fair question here. What is so desirable about a folding iPhone? I see thicker phone, scratchable screen, not very durable, hinge as a weakpoint and high cost.

If anything is clear from the last years it’s that people want huge screens and are willing to accept all sorts of downsides for it.

Not me. I love the mini. But the evidence is clear.

 

[russell_314]

Bring back the mini.

Not going to happen. Sales were terrible and it’s just not worth the R&D plus tooling for such low volume. When you make something in small numbers, you have to charge significantly more.

 

[spartan1967]

If anything is clear from the last years it’s that people want huge screens and are willing to accept all sorts of downsides for it.

Not me. I love the mini. But the evidence is clear.

Very surprised Apple is not starting with a flip. Maybe to get a larger picture on introducing a folding device first to work out all the bugs?

Probably will be too late for me & my 13 Mini. Loving the new Moto RAZR.

 

[rafark]

thank you for saying this—for all of the hate the concept of an iPhone fold/flip gets on here, every person I’ve known who’s bought an Android fold/flip has loved it. I can see how it’s a useful paradigm shift and not just change for change; still not sure if I want one, but certainly intrigued to see what Apple cooks up.

(maybe without Cook though? given recent events I don’t wanna get too into because this isn’t PRSI? l o l)

Never owned one but I love the concept of foldables. People complain about no innovation and that we get the same phone every year but then they also complain about the rumored foldable iPhone.

I’m personally looking forward to the extra screen real estate of a foldable iPhone.

 

[transmaster]

I am sure, unlike the Huawei Mate XT 10.2'' Tri-fold Phone, a $3K starspangled turkey. Apple will do a folding phone correctly. But I have zero interest in one. I do not want an iPhone that I cannot use with a protective case. Now a Macbook Air with a screen the size of an iPad Mini, now that would be interesting.

Huawei Mate XT 10.2'' Tri-fold Phone. The Mate XT it is failing at the folds because the flexible screen cover is delaminating from the active screen below.

 

[rembert]

After using a z Fold 6 for a month, I’m not buying another iPhone unless it’s foldable.

I’m in an entirely different league: not buying another iPhone unless it’s a non-foldable mini-sized one.

And if some Android brand comes up with a capable mini-sized phone, I’ll likely jump ship - my first step getting out of the Apple ecosystem as I have everything Apple today.

 

[lellis2k]

Looking forward to the fold, it might not be the most popular or the best but I came to Apple initially for the innovation (iPhone 1, 2017), and stayed for the quality, but with foldables now a couple of years past robust, its time for me to have something truly innovative again. I just hope that Apple’s v1 is as good as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, else, as hard as it would be to leave the ecosystem, I would consider moving to have some wacky fun on Android for a while, though there’s so much I would miss after this long…

 

[picpicmac]

Later, in spring 2027...

Great faith there, believing we'll all be around in 2027.

 

[garranhado]

It should be like in the early years, only one iPhone would be released, the best they had to launch.

 

[name99]

This timing also suggests substantial tech improvements.

There has been concern that the A19 might not be on N2 (even though N2 enters HVM in 2025H2) because TSMC can't produce sufficient volumes. This timing solves that problem - an A19 Pro in September, in limited volumes, and an A19 in substantial volume in 2026Q2, both on N2.

Even LPDDR6 might (possibly...) be able to make the cut with this timing.

 

[bollman]

I doubt it.
It will be a hard sell with Pro phones in September when all the fancy features won't be available until the spring release of iOS when the standard phones arrive.
Why buy an expensive phone months ahead of the alleged features?
Sure, this is more or less the situation now, but with the delay of the AI features people might become wary of cashing out for a Pro phone until you know the features actually will become a reality.