This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: all the latest expectations for next year’s iPhone 18 lineup, including iPhone Fold and iPhone Air 2, based on current rumors.
iPhone 18 and more: Apple has six new models coming
Next fall, Apple is expected to unveil four new iPhones, one of which is a brand new model:
- iPhone Air 2
- iPhone 18 Pro
- iPhone 18 Pro Max
- iPhone Fold
Like the iPhone Air has done this year, in 2026 the new iPhone Fold will likely stir a lot of excitement.
Notice what’s missing, though: there’s no base iPhone 18.
That’s because rumors indicate Apple plans to push that model into early 2027 alongside the iPhone 18e.
iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will arrive in winter or spring 2027, giving the two lower-cost models later releases while the fall lineup goes ultra-premium.
In total, Apple plans to debut six new iPhones as part of the iPhone 18 generation.
Rumored features for iPhone 18 lineup
It’s still very early, so lots of details about iPhone 18 features are still unknown and also subject to change.
That said, here are the rumored features we’re expecting so far:
- iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max might gain a hole-punch cutout design in the top-left corner, and remove the current Dynamic Island
- This new design may be enabled by under-display Face ID
- iPhone Air 2 will look largely the same as the current iPhone Air
- A20 chip family should bring big improvement thanks to two process upgrades
- A20 could also pack much faster RAM than ever, with 6-channel LPDDR5X
- Camera Control may get scaled back to offer more simplified functionality
- Every model is expected to gain Apple’s C2 modem for 5G connectivity, replacing Qualcomm entirely
- A variable aperture camera lens system is reportedly coming
The biggest changes overall, however, will undoubtedly be related to Apple’s brand new foldable model.
iPhone Fold is expected to boast:
- Crease-free ‘book fold’ design
- 7.8-inch inner display, slightly smaller than an iPad mini
- 5.5-inch outer display, similar to the discontinued iPhone mini
- Screens could be free of camera cutouts entirely to be truly all-display
- Four cameras total: 2 rear, 1 front when folded, 1 front when unfolded
- Touch ID instead of Face ID
- Titanium design like the iPhone Air
- New multitasking capabilities powered by iOS 27
These features, combined with some of the advancements in the rest of the lineup such as A20 and the C2 modem, should make for a fascinating new iPhone lineup.
What are your takeaways from current iPhone 18 rumors? Let us know in the comments.
Best iPhone accessories
- AirPods Pro 2 (now only $199, down from $249)
- MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone
- HomeKit smart plug 4-pack
- 10-year AirTag battery case 2-pack
- 100W USB-C fast charging power adapter
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments