Thinking about a new iPhone? You might want to rethink your timing this year
From delayed standard models to a possible $2,000 foldable iPhone, here's how Apple's next releases could impact your upgrade plans.
While Apple’s iPhone has been fairly predictable and on a yearly cycle, this year appears to be different. There probably won’t be the same set of iPhone models available in the fall this year, which could affect your budgeting or purchase planning.
Although some familiar iPhones will still likely make an appearance, there could be some new devices in the mix. I’ve been covering Apple and the larger tech industry for over a decade. Although Apple doesn’t mess with or change the release schedule for its most popular product too often, it will shift minor things around from time to time.
For some people, this shake-up will cause some gadget lust with a new device, but for others, it will mean waiting longer to get a new iPhone upgrade. Here’s how the rest of 2026 and early 2027 are looking regarding Apple’s iPhone.
Why Apple might only launch Pro iPhones this fall
Instead of announcing all new iPhones in the fall, the analysts and reports suggest that Apple will only debut the higher-end iPhone models in 2026.
So, that would mean a new iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone in September.
That would also mean pushing the standard iPhone 18 and the new version of the iPhone Air into the spring of 2027. The iPhone “e” model has already been showing up in the spring, so no change there.
New iPhone Colors 2026: What could replace Cosmic Orange?
Last year, in 2025, the rumors said there would be an orange-colored iPhone. Then Apple announced the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro. They seem to be everywhere now.
If you like that color, you should jump on it before it’s gone. All indications seem to suggest that Apple will abandon Cosmic Orange in favor of completely new colors.
The leaks have narrowed the new colors down to deep red, light blue, silver, and dark grey this year. There are mockups and guesses as to what the colors will look like exactly. But even if these colors are right in name, it doesn’t mean the shades shown are accurate.
If you go back and look at the color rumors last year, people were right about orange, but didn’t quite get the shade right. Cosmic Orange is much brighter and bolder than most of the leaks suggested.
iPhone 18 Rumors: Price, features, and what we still don’t know
The reason supply chain analysts and reporters can get some of this information about future iPhones is that production is gearing up soon. Whether it’s test units or manufacturing changes in the factories, some amount of work has already begun for iPhones that will be announced in the fall.
Still, there are things unknown. Reports suggest that the regular iPhone 18 may get a few component cuts to keep it at its current price point.
No one knows how much the folding iPhone will cost either. The iPhone Pro Max starts at $1,200 and goes up to $2,000 when you add 2TB of storage to it. So far, the consensus among reports is that the foldable iPhone could start above that $2,000 price, making it the most expensive Apple phone to date.
iPhone upgrade guide 2026: Is it worth waiting for iPhone 18?
If you need a new phone now, I wouldn’t recommend waiting. The iPhone 17 and 17 Pro models are extremely good. The regular 17 got a big upgrade in the screen department with an always-on Pro Motion display.
On the Pro side, the iPhone 17 Pro stays cooler longer, has fantastic battery life, and a terrific camera system, among other speed and feature details. You can likely find a deal on these phones as well.
If you don’t find yourself needing a new iPhone right now, then I would recommend waiting for the iPhone 18 models to debut, presumably in September. Although the book-style folding iPhone will be expensive, it may be an intriguing device that can serve as a phone and an iPad in one.