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This fall’s iPhone 18 launch lineup has one big wildcard remaining

Rumors about this fall’s new iPhone 18 lineup keep coming, but there’s one key detail that’s still a big question mark: how many iPhones will Apple launch?

iPhone Air 2 will determine whether Apple has four new models this fall, or a smaller lineup of only three

There’s a lot of consensus around many aspects of this fall’s iPhone lineup.

For example, numerous reports have said the base iPhone 18 model won’t launch until early 2027—a major change for the fall lineup.

However, there are at least three new models that definitely are coming:

  • iPhone 18 Pro
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • iPhone Ultra / Fold

Rumors have given us a good idea of the upgrades to expect on iPhone 18 Pro.

New colors will likely include a deep red, there’s a smaller Dynamic Island coming, several camera improvements, battery life is getting even better, and a whole lot more.

Similarly, we’ve heard a lot lately about the iPhone Ultra—Apple’s first foldable model.

Apple very cautious about iPhone Ultra sales, as Samsung wins major concession | Render shown of the anticipated new folding iPhone

But reporting on Apple’s next iPhone Air continues to be minimal and even contradictory.

Several sources have said the iPhone Air 2 won’t arrive until spring 2027. However, one prominent leaker has reiterated multiple times that Apple will launch it this fall alongside iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra.

This leaker, Fixed Focus Digital, has a history of supply chain connections that make his word especially credible. He also has said the new Air will be an iterative update with minimal exterior changes, which could explain why there have been so few rumors from other sources. If Apple isn’t changing much, it’s easier for the new model to fly under the radar.

The conflicting reports, though, make it anyone’s guess right now whether Apple’s iPhone 18 lineup this fall will include the typical four new models, or only three.

Personally, I lean toward believing the Air 2 will launch this fall so Apple can keep its standard four-model lineup. But if a new iPhone Air truly is coming, we’re likely to get more leaks along those lines this summer as mass production ramps up.

Do you expect Apple to launch the iPhone Air 2 this year, or have a smaller iPhone 18 lineup? Let us know in the comments.

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Avatar for Ryan Christoffel Ryan Christoffel

Ryan got his start in journalism as an Editor at MacStories, where he worked for four years covering Apple news, writing app reviews, and more. For two years he co-hosted the Adapt podcast on Relay FM, which focused entirely on the iPad. As a result, it should come as no surprise that his favorite Apple device is the iPad Pro.