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 many others) would launch with an overhauled look, adopted by an S variant that boosted efficiency and smoothed out any imperfections.
That’s now not the case. Primarily as a result of iPhone’s maturity, iterative annual upgrades have grow to be the norm. In any case, there’s solely a lot it may enhance yr over yr. And regardless of what you’ll have examine this yr’s telephones, the brand new lineup is trying to be extra of the identical, even with the introduction of a brand new Air mannequin.
That’s why when you’re planning to get a brand new iPhone, it’s possible you’ll need to watch for subsequent yr’s iPhone 18 collection. In contrast to the iPhone 17, 2026’s lineup is about to convey a few of the largest 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 units are sometimes riddled with flaws, and a yr later, the iPhone 18 Air will virtually definitely 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 smooth gadget will seemingly have a mediocre battery life, a single rear digital camera, fewer audio system, and different compromises for a premium price ticket. With most individuals popping their cellphone 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 probably make the most of that. The top end result could be a lighter, extremely skinny iPhone that, in contrast to the 17 Air, could justify the shortcomings and expense.
The iPhone 17 Air could be super-thin, however that’s nothing in comparison with a folding mannequin.
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Above the fold
We’ve been listening to a couple of folding iPhone for years, but it surely lastly looks like it’s coming. However not this yr. In 2026, Apple is anticipated 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 inside show, mimicking an iPad mini when opened. It might simply be essentially the most dramatic and thrilling iPhone change for the reason that iPhone X in 2017, and lots of Apple followers are going to need to bounce on board as early adopters.
Lens aptitude
Even when you’re skipping the iPhone 17 Air and its single digital camera, the iPhone 17 Professional isn’t trying to ship a lot in the way in which of significant digital camera upgrades, aside from a 24MP front-facing sensor and a 48MP telephoto lens. Nevertheless, a extra substantial digital camera increase may arrive subsequent yr. At the very 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 mild reaches the sensor for the primary time. This might elevate portrait pictures by enhancing the utilized depth of discipline impact, in addition to minimizing overexposure. Most smartphone customers don’t depend on a devoted DSLR or mirrorless digital camera 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 digital camera will probably be excellent, however the actual massive modifications are rumored to be coming subsequent yr.
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A minimize above
Apple launched the Dynamic Island with the iPhone 14 Professional, and it’s shortly grow to be 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 alter this yr.
Subsequent yr, nevertheless, Apple will reportedly swap to under-display Face ID sensors, which is able to seemingly shrink the Dynamic Island noticeably. The conflicting studies make it arduous to foretell whether or not the iPhone 18 Professional will characteristic a smaller Dynamic Island or a hole-punch design, but it surely’s secure 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 necessary. iPhones from years in the past nonetheless run fluidly and carry out in a lag-free method, and a barely sooner processor gained’t actually impression the every day expertise meaningfully. Nevertheless, there could also be an even bigger increase with the iPhone 18 fashions.
In 2026, Apple is anticipated to unveil the A20, switching from a 3nm to a 2nm manufacturing course of. Because of this, the iPhone 18 Professional fashions could possibly be considerably extra succesful and power-efficient. However that’s not all—the iPhone 18 lineup can be anticipated to undertake the second era of Apple’s in-house 5G modem. In contrast to the C1 predecessor included with the iPhone 16e, the C2 chip may help mmWave connectivity and convey different enhancements to the desk.
With the iPhone 17 line seemingly sticking to Qualcomm’s hungrier modem and 3nm A19 processor, it’s secure to imagine the iPhone 18 can have a superior battery life.
Subsequent yr’s iPhone lineup will seemingly have Apple’s second-generation modem.
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Iteration now, innovation later
In simply 12 months, Apple’s iPhone 18 collection will seemingly supply 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 probably 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 digital camera bump and a value hike? We predict you’ll be higher off shopping for a reduced iPhone 16 and ready until 2026 to get one thing actually new.
