iPhone 18 could shake up how Apple launches iPhones — here’s how

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We may not see the iPhone 18 next year as expected

iphone 17 renders showing off rear and camera bump
(Image credit: Future)

The iPhone 17 series may be the last time we see a basic iPhone model launch in the fall, as ETNews, citing sources inside Apple's supply chain, says we’re in for a shake-up.

This year's iPhone 17 launch should still happen in the familiar way — with all models arriving at once in September, ETNews explains. But next year, while we'll still get a cheaper iPhone 17e model in spring, the September 2026 launch will feature the new iPhone Fold but no standard iPhone 18. Instead, that model will then launch alongside the iPhone 18e in 2027.

Apple's two new iPhones

iPhone 17 Air dummy model next to iPhone 16 Pro Max

(Image credit: Majin Bu/X)

This new launch pattern relies on the existence of two models that Apple has yet to announce. The first we'll likely see of these is the iPhone 17 Air, designed to be the skinniest iPhone of them all. It looks like it'll lose a camera, and potentially battery capacity, in order to achieve this, but the result should be an impressive piece of engineering.

Meanwhile, the long-rumored iPhone Fold is thought to be finally breaking cover next year. This one's rumored to be a book-style foldable similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, except with the Apple touch and hopefully more refined displays and battery.

For now, we're likely less than a month away from the iPhone 17 series launching. If you want to check in on what's tipped for the other models in the line-up, then check our iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max rumor hubs.

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Richard Priday
Richard Priday
Assistant Phones Editor

Richard is based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, tablets, gaming, and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty coffee.

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