Apple is preparing a major change to its iPhone release schedule, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. People familiar with the company’s plans say Apple wants to split its lineup into two launches a year instead of dropping everything in the fall.
Sources told Gurman that fall 2026 is expected to bring three high-end models—the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple’s first foldable iPhone. About six months later, Apple would introduce the regular iPhone 18 lineup, including the lower-cost iPhone 18e and possibly a new version of the iPhone Air.
There’s also been talk that the next iPhone Air was delayed due to weak sales, but people inside Apple told Gurman that isn’t true. They say the Air wasn’t scheduled for next fall anyway, and Apple only ever expected it to account for around 6–8% of new iPhone sales.
Gurman reports that the main upgrade planned for the next Air is a new 2-nanometer chip aimed at fixing battery life. Adding a second rear camera has been floated, but sources say the phone’s design makes that unlikely.
According to people involved in the project, the iPhone Air is really a testing platform for Apple’s future foldable iPhone, built with some of the same materials and internal design ideas.
Insiders say the new release schedule is meant to smooth out Apple’s revenue, ease pressure on employees and suppliers, and give Apple more moments during the year to counter Samsung’s launches.
Gurman adds that Apple’s software updates will follow the same pattern, starting with a bigger spring release next year that includes the new Siri in iOS 26.4.
Are you ready for two staggered iPhone launches in a year? What’s your wallet ready for?
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