This coming fall, we expect Apple to introduce the next-generation iPhone 17 lineup, which may consist the iPhone 17, 17 “Air”, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max. Ever since the iPhone 4s in 2011, Apple has introduced its flagship iPhone models every fall. However, that may change altogether starting next year. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, we could see staggered releases for the iPhone models starting in fall 2026 with the higher-end models to be introduced in the fall, followed by the lower-end models to be introduced about a semester later in the spring. While we’ve been anticipating the incoming addition to the iPhone lineup with the widely-rumored foldable iPhone, Kuo believes that the staggered releases could alleviate Apple from managing too many resources at once for a wide range of iPhone models.
Additionally, pushing the lower-end iPhone models to spring releases may help Apple boost revenue and sales for the iPhone overall as sales tend to slow down midway of the iPhone’s annual update cycle. Apple has been doing spring iPhone releases to attract potential buyers before whether it’s a new model or a new color of an existing model:
- 2016: iPhone SE (1st generation)
- 2017: iPhone 7 / 7 Plus in (PRODUCT)RED
- 2018: iPhone XR in (PRODUCT)RED
- 2020: iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- 2021: iPhone 12 / 12 mini in Purple
- 2022: iPhone 13 / 13 mini in Green; iPhone 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max in Alpine Green
- 2023: iPhone 14 / 14 Plus in Yellow
- 2025: iPhone 16e
Last fall, Apple’s hardware chief John Ternus claimed, in a leaked internal memo, that the iPhone’s current roadmap was the “most ambitious in the product’s history,” and Ming-Chi Kuo’s report seems to back up this claim, so here’s the timeline on when we may expect the future iPhone models to debut:
- Fall 2025: iPhone 17 / “Air” / Pro / Pro Max
- Spring 2026: iPhone 17e
- Fall 2026: iPhone 18 “Air” / Pro / Pro Max / “Fold” (an all-new foldable iPhone to compete with other foldable phones)
- Spring 2027: iPhone 18 / 18e
- Fall 2027: iPhone 19 “Air” / Pro / Pro Max / “Fold” (2nd generation foldable)
By splitting the release timeframes for the base and premium models, Apple could further boost excitement for customers getting something to look forward to every spring/fall, rather than concentrating the rollout into one season. Plus, Apple would receive even more coverage from the press media. Lastly, by introducing the latest technology on the new flagship models before it makes its way to the base models, Apple could even prevent the base models cannibalizing the sales of the premium models, which is a mistake that Apple may have made with the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro.
Apple has been taking a similar approach with its MacBook line as well. When Apple introduced the M1 chip back in November 2020, Apple introduced both the MacBook Air and base 13-inch MacBook Pro with that chip. Apple did the same thing when it introduced the M2 chip back in June 2022. However, that all changed when Apple introduced the M3 family of chips in October 2023, and the MacBook Pro was one of the first Macs to feature that generation of chips. It wasn’t until March 2024 that Apple introduced the M3-based MacBook Air lineup. Even the same update cycle repeated itself with the rollout of the M4 chip. That way Apple could enjoy bigger profits from its more premium offerings that get the latest technology first.
Overall, this significant change in the release timeline will be huge win for not only Apple, but also for customers and the press media. Looks like we have a lot more things to look forward for the iPhone, especially both Apple’s ultra-thin smartphone and the first foldable smartphone. Are you excited as ever? Sound off in the comments below.
