A report says Apple is preparing a bigger, split-cycle iPhone roadmap through 2027, adding a foldable model and reshaping how (and when) new iPhones launch.
Lead
Apple plans seven iPhone models by 2027, up from roughly five today, according to a report from The Information that points to a major product and launch-schedule overhaul. The same roadmap includes Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which the report expects to arrive in fall 2026 as part of a new premium-heavy release window. Separate reporting cited in follow-on coverage also describes Apple splitting iPhone launches across fall and spring starting in 2026 to smooth revenue and reduce operational strain.
What the roadmap claims
The Information’s reported plan would expand Apple’s annual iPhone lineup to at least seven models by fall 2027, a notable increase from the five devices AppleInsider describes as the current lineup size. AppleInsider’s summary of the report frames this shift as a move beyond the familiar base/Pro split, adding more distinct form factors and price tiers. Multiple outlets repeating the same core points have described this as one of Apple’s biggest iPhone lineup changes in years, centered on a foldable device and a redesigned anniversary model.
Timeline: 2026–2027 iPhone releases
The following schedule is based on AppleInsider’s breakdown of The Information report, which outlines a move to staggered iPhone launches and a growing number of models each year.
| Window (reported) | Models mentioned | What’s notable |
| Spring 2026 | iPhone 17e | AppleInsider says an iPhone 17e is projected for spring, with a 6.1-inch display and other midrange positioning. |
| Fall 2026 | iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max | AppleInsider says the iPhone 18 Pro line is expected in fall 2026, with rumors including camera changes and possible under-display front camera work. |
| Fall 2026 | First foldable iPhone (iPhone Fold) | AppleInsider says Apple’s first foldable iPhone could debut in fall 2026 with a larger inner display and a smaller outer display. |
| Spring 2027 | iPhone 18 | AppleInsider says the standard iPhone 18 could shift to the first half of 2027 rather than a traditional September window. |
| Spring 2027 | iPhone 18e | AppleInsider says Apple could keep the e model on a yearly cadence with an iPhone 18e in spring 2027. |
| Spring 2027 | iPhone Air 2 | AppleInsider says iPhone Air 2 is anticipated for spring 2027, potentially with a redesign. |
| Fall 2027 | iPhone 20 anniversary model | AppleInsider says Apple may target an all-screen, curved-edge design for a 20th-anniversary iPhone in fall 2027. |
Foldable iPhone: what’s actually being reported
The foldable iPhone is expected to be the headline addition, with AppleInsider describing a book-style device with two screens, including an approximately 7.8-inch inner display and an outer display that’s notably smaller. AppleInsider also reports a Liquidmetal hinge rumor, reflecting an emphasis on durability and crease control—two pain points that have shaped foldable-phone perception. In parallel, 9to5Mac similarly describes a fall 2026 iPhone Fold with an iPad-like aspect ratio when unfolded, reinforcing the idea that Apple is targeting a mini-tablet experience rather than a tall flip phone format.
A split launch cycle, not one big September event
Beyond adding models, the roadmap’s other big change is timing: coverage citing Bloomberg says Apple plans to split iPhone releases across two periods starting in 2026 rather than concentrating everything in the fall. That same coverage says higher-end models—including Pro devices and the first foldable iPhone—would land in the fall window, while standard and lower-cost variants would follow roughly six months later. If Apple adopts this approach, it would represent a structural shift in how Apple stages its biggest product line—impacting marketing cadence, carrier promotions, and upgrade cycles.
Under-screen cameras and biometrics: the tech bet behind the redesign
MacRumors reports Apple may introduce next-generation under-screen camera technology first in the foldable iPhone, then adapt it for a 2027 all-screen iPhone, citing the leaker Digital Chat Station. The same MacRumors report says the foldable could use Touch ID integrated into the side button rather than Face ID due to internal space constraints. MacRumors also describes a step-by-step path—under-screen Face ID progressing first, under-screen selfie camera next—before converging into a 20th-anniversary iPhone design with a bezel-less, curved-around display concept.
Why Apple would expand to seven models
One rationale described in coverage repeating the roadmap is business stability: shifting to spring-and-fall iPhone launches is described as a way to stabilize revenue through the year and reduce pressure on engineering and manufacturing teams. Another logic is portfolio coverage—more distinct iPhone families (budget e, thin Air, premium Pro/Ultra-class, and foldable) could help Apple compete across more segments without forcing one device to serve every buyer type. Still, it’s important to note these are reports about internal planning, and timelines, names, and final product decisions can change before launch.
What comes next
If this reported roadmap holds, Apple’s iPhone strategy through 2027 will look less like a once-a-year refresh and more like a rolling product portfolio—with a foldable iPhone in 2026 and a redesigned anniversary model in 2027 anchoring the premium end. The biggest near-term signal to watch is whether Apple begins clearly separating Pro and standard iPhone launches starting in 2026, as described in coverage citing Bloomberg. Until Apple confirms anything publicly, readers should treat model counts and dates as informed reporting rather than finalized announcements.
