Apple Plans to Launch 5 New iPhones to Crush Android Competition

According to a new report from Nikkei Asia, Apple is preparing its most intense product rollout in years, with plans to launch at least five new iPhone models between late 2026 and early 2027.

The publication notes that Apple is looking to weaponize its massive supply chain dominance to capture market share from Android competitors like Samsung and Xiaomi, who are currently struggling to navigate a severe global memory shortage.

Sources close to the matter reveal that Apple has significantly raised its initial production forecast for its first-ever foldable device. The tech giant has asked suppliers to prepare parts for approximately 10 million foldable iPhones this year, which is a notable jump from the seven to eight million units originally estimated just a few months ago.

Rumoured to be named the “iPhone Ultra,” this ultra-premium device is expected to debut in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. However, the cutting-edge form factor will not come cheap, with analysts predicting a staggering price tag of around US $2500, and high-end storage variants potentially climbing to US $3000.

The strategy does not stop with the autumn flagship launch. Apple plans to follow up in the first half of 2027 with at least two more devices: a standard iPhone 18 and a brand-new, ultra-thin model dubbed the “iPhone Air.” The company is also working on a refresh for its budget-friendly iPhone SE line, though the exact production timeline for the cheaper device is still being finalised.

While the memory crunch is a massive headache for Apple, it represents a fatal bottleneck for its competitors. Because of Apple’s unmatched purchasing power and scale, the company has managed to lock down enough components for 80 million new smartphones for the second half of 2026, with total iPhone production for the year projected to comfortably exceed 220 million units.