It’s looking more likely that Apple will launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026, but that’s not the only change on the horizon.
Reporting from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman suggests that Apple will no longer have its annual iPhone bonanza in September. Instead, the company reportedly plans to split its handset launch cycle in half, separating when the company launches its high-end phones from its more affordable range.
Based on Gurman’s claims — which tend to reliably be on the money — Apple will hold a 2026 spring (or ‘fall’ in the US) launch event for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its brand-new foldable. Apple reportedly won’t launch the base iPhone 18 until six months later, alongside the cheaper iPhone 18e model.
If these plans come to fruition, it could mean the successor to the standard iPhone 17 is more than a year away. For years now, you could just about set your watch to an annual launch cycle, making the upcoming schedule an unusual one.
According to Gurman, Apple’s intention behind the release schedule change is multifaceted. One reason is to ensure a more consistent revenue stream throughout the year. Approximately 50 per cent of Apple’s annual revenue comes from iPhones, far more than any of its other product categories. Apple also hopes it will reduce the strain on its product teams and suppliers.
Perhaps the $999 iPhone 16e was the first step towards this new staggered launch cycle. Apple announced and launched the cheaper handset in February this year, away from the brand’s crowded iPhone launch in September 2024.
In another interesting tidbit from Gurman’s reporting, the iPhone Air’s future may not be as perilous as first thought. A second-gen version is in the works for 2027, with a new two-nanometre chip designed to improve the thin phone’s battery life.
