As soon as upon a time, Apple used to make important modifications to the iPhone each two years. A brand new mannequin (iPhone 4, 5, 6, and so forth) would launch with an overhauled look, adopted by an S variant that boosted efficiency and smoothed out any imperfections.
That’s not the case. Primarily because of the iPhone’s maturity, iterative annual upgrades have turn into the norm. In any case, there’s solely a lot it may enhance yr over yr. And regardless of what you will have examine this yr’s telephones, the brand new lineup is seeking to be extra of the identical, even with the introduction of a brand new Air mannequin.
That’s why if you happen to’re planning to get a brand new iPhone, you might need to look ahead to subsequent yr’s iPhone 18 sequence. Not like the iPhone 17, 2026’s lineup is about to convey a few of the greatest design and performance upgrades in years, which may make the iPhone 17 really feel decidedly ho-hum.
One thing within the Air
In September, Apple will reportedly launch the iPhone 17 Air—an ultra-slim handset with an entire new type issue. Thrilling, proper? Perhaps not. First-generation gadgets are sometimes riddled with flaws, and a yr later, the iPhone 18 Air will virtually actually tackle any points with a refined and polished design.
Past that, there appear to be few compelling causes to go for an iPhone 17 Air. The modern gadget will probably have a mediocre battery life, a single rear digicam, fewer audio system, and different compromises for a premium price ticket. With most individuals popping their telephone right into a case anyway, will a super-slim iPhone actually be price it?
Now that the EU has confirmed that Apple is permitted to launch portless smartphones, the iPhone 18 Air may doubtlessly make the most of that. The tip consequence could be a lighter, extremely skinny iPhone that, not like the 17 Air, might justify the shortcomings and expense.
The iPhone 17 Air could be super-thin, however that’s nothing in comparison with a folding mannequin.
Foundry
Above the fold
We’ve been listening to a couple of folding iPhone for years, nevertheless it lastly looks like it’s coming. However not this yr. In 2026, Apple is predicted to debut its first foldable smartphone (enter the iPhone 6 Plus joke right here), rivaling Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and altering the iPhone as we all know it.
The 5.5-inch gadget is rumored to pack a 7.8-inch internal show, mimicking an iPad mini when opened. It could simply be essentially the most dramatic and thrilling iPhone change because the iPhone X in 2017, and plenty of Apple followers are going to need to leap on board as early adopters.
Lens aptitude
Even if you happen to’re skipping the iPhone 17 Air and its single digicam, the iPhone 17 Professional isn’t seeking to ship a lot in the way in which of significant digicam upgrades, aside from a 24MP front-facing sensor and a 48MP telephoto lens. Nonetheless, a extra substantial digicam increase may arrive subsequent yr. At the least one iPhone 18 mannequin (presumably the Professional Max) will boast a variable aperture lens—a perk lengthy restricted to high-end skilled cameras.
If true, iPhone customers will get to mechanically management how a lot gentle reaches the sensor for the primary time. This might elevate portrait photographs by bettering the utilized depth of subject impact, in addition to minimizing overexposure. Most smartphone customers don’t depend on a devoted DSLR or mirrorless digicam for capturing their on a regular basis moments. Porting a variable aperture lens to the iPhone may dramatically improve the photo-taking expertise.
The iPhone 17 Professional’s digicam can be superb, however the true massive modifications are rumored to be coming subsequent yr.
Foundry
A minimize above
Apple launched the Dynamic Island with the iPhone 14 Professional, and it’s rapidly turn into one of many handset’s greatest options, with fast entry to timers, scores, background duties, and so forth. However when it’s not in use, it’s nonetheless considerably ugly—and that’s not anticipated to vary this yr.
Subsequent yr, nonetheless, Apple will reportedly change to under-display Face ID sensors, which can probably shrink the Dynamic Island noticeably. The conflicting stories make it onerous to foretell whether or not the iPhone 18 Professional will function a smaller Dynamic Island or a hole-punch design, nevertheless it’s protected to imagine it’ll look extra futuristic and convey the iPhone a step nearer to the flawless, glass slab imaginative and prescient coming in 2030.
Chip shift
For a lot of informal customers, Apple’s annual chip upgrades aren’t all that vital. iPhones from years in the past nonetheless run fluidly and carry out in a lag-free method, and a barely sooner processor received’t actually influence the day by day expertise meaningfully. Nonetheless, there could also be a much bigger increase with the iPhone 18 fashions.
In 2026, Apple is predicted to unveil the A20, switching from a 3nm to a 2nm manufacturing course of. In consequence, the iPhone 18 Professional fashions may very well be considerably extra succesful and power-efficient. However that’s not all—the iPhone 18 lineup can also be anticipated to undertake the second technology of Apple’s in-house 5G modem. Not like the C1 predecessor included with the iPhone 16e, the C2 chip may assist mmWave connectivity and convey different enhancements to the desk.
With the iPhone 17 line probably sticking to Qualcomm’s hungrier modem and 3nm A19 processor, it’s protected to imagine the iPhone 18 can have a superior battery life.
Subsequent yr’s iPhone lineup will probably have Apple’s second-generation modem.
Foundry
Iteration now, innovation later
In simply 12 months, Apple’s iPhone 18 sequence will probably provide a few of the most distinct modifications in ages. We’re rumored to be getting an all-new folding type issue that caters to multitaskers, together with a doubtlessly improved Air mannequin in addition to different important enhancements.
In the meantime, what’s going to the iPhone 17 convey? A skinny physique? A tweaked rear digicam bump and a value hike? We expect you’ll be higher off shopping for a reduced iPhone 16 and ready until 2026 to get one thing actually new.
