After a long stretch of the iPhone lineup looking very similar from year to year, Apple shook things up this fall by replacing its Plus model with the iPhone Air. But it sounds like next year’s iPhone 18 lineup could be far more of a departure for the company.
Fallout from the reported iPhone Air 2 delay
Over the past day, The Information has reported twice on Apple’s development of the iPhone Air 2.
Initially, the publication said the new model had been delayed indefinitely due to weak sales of the original iPhone Air. But a second report just hours later clarified that Apple hopes to ship the successor by spring 2027—not too long after the original fall 2026 launch plan.
The cause of the delay, per the report, is Apple’s desire to add a second rear camera to the device.
Before this scheduling shakeup, multiple sources had previously reported that Apple was planning a fall 2026 lineup that included iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, and iPhone Fold.
Four models total, but no base model iPhone 18. Instead, Apple reportedly intends to push it into early 2027.
But now following the iPhone Air 2 delay, such a move could leave Apple with its weirdest fall iPhone lineup in years.
Apple’s fall iPhone 18 lineup could be very unusual
When I first read about the iPhone Air 2 getting pushed out of the fall lineup, my first question involved the base model iPhone 18.
I assume that Apple will want to abandon its plans to move the base iPhone 18 into the spring. It’s unclear how much lead time is needed to make such a switch, but if Apple can do it, I suspect they will.
So far though, The Information’s reporting indicates the base iPhone 18 will still arrive in spring 2027.
If that holds true, Apple’s fall 2026 iPhone lineup will consist of only three models:
- iPhone 18 Pro
- iPhone 18 Pro Max
- iPhone Fold
This would be a strange lineup for several reasons.
First, it’s only three models, not the four that Apple has launched every fall for years.
It also means the ‘entry’ option would be the $1,099 iPhone 18 Pro—a huge jump from the $799 entry price users normally get each fall.
And finally, the brand new and ultra-premium iPhone Fold would be one of the three models. It’s not expected to be a mass-market hit, at least not at first. Meaning only two new iPhone models would be proven offerings.
Top comment by Dr. J
This would mean expensive phones in the fall and cheap ones in the springtime. Interesting, especially if rumors about the cheap MacBook come true. I think the company is realizing there are two kinds of consumers: the Pro buyers who spend the big bucks on the most high-end products no matter the cost, and the rest of the market who goes for the cheapest option, be it the “e” model or the base one. No room for Air-like middle-ground products anymore.
All of this adds up to easily the weirdest flagship iPhone line that I can remember. And a huge challenge for the company’s bottom line, since it will be very hard to match iPhone sales from fall 2025.
Which makes me think that any day now, we’ll hear a report that the base iPhone 18 is getting moved up into the fall 2026 lineup after all.
If that happens, next fall will largely be business as usual for Apple. But if not, I’m fascinated to see how Apple plans to pitch its scaled back, ultra-premium iPhone lineup to customers.
Do you think Apple will really launch just three iPhone models next fall, with no base or Air? Let us know in the comments.
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