(Credit: Eric Zeman)
With a few exceptions, most notably the iPhone 12 series during the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple announces and releases its flagship iPhones in September.
That release schedule may change in 2026 with the iPhone 18. Sources tell ET News that Apple will refresh its lower-cost smartphone with an iPhone 17e in early 2026. It will then announce four new iPhones in September 2026, but it won't release the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e until the spring of 2027. That means we'll wait around 18 months between the release of an iPhone 17 and its follow-up.
The shift is intended to help Apple "maximize the impact" of its rumored foldable phones, ET News says.
If you’re looking to upgrade to an iPhone 18, that may prove frustrating, as you’ll have to sit with your current phone for longer. Sources speaking to ET News cite suppliers who have spoken to Apple about manufacturing plans for the next couple of years.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and The Information have reported similar timelines. As ever, leaks aren't guarantees; a lot can change in a year. However, three sources saying the same thing may mean there's some truth to it being Apple's next big plan.
Until then, we have the iPhone 17 series to look forward to; Apple just announced a Sept. 9 "special" event, which is expected to feature four phones, including a new iPhone 17 Air model.