Apple plans to adjust its iPhone release schedule next year with the introduction of its inaugural foldable iPhone, aiming for a more streamlined approach, as reported by The Information. The strategy involves launching this foldable model alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and “Air” versions. Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18 will be deferred to a spring 2027 release, together with a successor to the iPhone 16E, according to the source.
Given the slimmer lineup and anticipation of a foldable model by 2026, The Information suggests that Apple needs to rearrange its offerings to manage an expanding six-device lineup effectively. As for the foldable’s design, Apple reportedly opts for a book-style configuration rather than a clamshell, featuring a 5.7-inch display when closed and an almost-8-inch screen when opened. Previously, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicated the unfoldable device might be 4.5–4.8mm thick and would utilize Face ID instead of Touch ID.
The report includes additional details, such as the unveiling of a new battery case for the iPhone 17 Air, due to tests indicating that the phone’s battery life independently won’t match previous iPhones’. Moreover, The Information notes that the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max models will be fitted with long-anticipated under-display Face ID sensors, resulting in just a “small hole cutout in the top-left corner” for the front camera.
