We may be roughly four months away from the iPhone event, but we’re already excited to see what Apple plans to showcase at its most anticipated event of the year. The company last year introduced a brand new device: the iPhone Air. But while it was a nice change from the typical lineup, it didn’t seem to bring that certain sizzle we were hoping for. But this year is expected to be different, as Apple reportedly plans to launch its first-ever foldable iPhone — which could be called iPhone Ultra — alongside the iPhone 18 roster at its September event.
Many of us have been dreaming about a foldable iPhone since Samsung dropped its first Galaxy Fold in 2019 (though I didn’t expect Apple to take seven years to launch one). But the rumored new high-end model will still be part of a family of handsets if and when it’s announced this fall. Here’s everything we “know” — and can be assumed — when it comes to the iPhone Fold and iPhone 18, 18e and Pro models, as well as an iPhone Air 2, and when they’ll likely be released.
Apple’s rumored 2026 iPhone lineup
While we won’t have the details until Apple actually makes an announcement in September, here are all the iPhones we’re expecting to see during the fall event. However, it’s likely not all phones will become available in September — some will likely ship out late 2026 and into the first quarter of 2027 — more on that below. (As a rule, Apple does not comment on hardware before it’s officially announced.)
iPhone Fold, aka iPhone Ultra
If the rumors are true, the iPhone Fold is expected to be Apple’s most innovative redesign in years, and could be named iPhone Ultra. There’s also been plenty of speculation about what its foldable will look like: Will it open and close like a book? Or will it operate more like a clamshell flip phone of old?
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Instead of the typical glass slab of a rectangular phone that we’ve seen more or less since the original iPhone was launched, the leaked dummy model shows a shorter, chunkier design. Some rumors, per MacRumors, suggest the phone will have a 5.5-inch display when closed and roughly 7.8 inches when open, with a wider 4:3 aspect ratio like an iPad. That would make it similar to the new Huawei Pura X Max Wide foldable.
It has a raised camera bump with two cameras — though since it’s rumored to be pretty thin at 4.5mm when open, there’s no room for the TrueDepth camera system that powers facial recognition. Because of that, it’s said to use Touch ID instead of Face ID, which feels like a setback.
And since Samsung is basically a pro when it comes to foldable displays, it’ll likely supply the OLED screen. Speaking of screens, there will be two: One on the outside for when the phone is closed and one larger display on the inside when the phone is open. The phone’s shell will be made from titanium and aluminum, MacRumors says.
Lastly, don’t expect to see any bright colors this time around. Instead, Apple reportedly will keep to two colors: a silver/white finish and an indigo option that resembles the iPhone 17 Pro’s Deep Blue color. A little disappointing for anyone who prefers vibrant colors.
The mockup above shows what the iPhone Fold could look like when opened and placed with the internal screen face down.
iPhone 18 Pro
Several new features and colors are rumored to be coming with the iPhone 18 Pro models. It’ll be a familiar design — pretty similar to the 17 Pro’s, with the same display dimensions — but more powerful, with LTPO+ display technology for longer battery life and better efficiency. It’s rumored to come equipped with an A20 chip for better speed and efficiency, succeeding the A19 chip used in the iPhone 17 series.
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Additionally, it’s rumored to have a smaller Dynamic Island and a simplified Camera Control button without touch sensitivity and haptic feedback. The back Ceramic Shield area could also get a frosted finish.
As for colors this year, one purported leak shows they could be light blue, dark cherry, dark gray and silver. It’s also expected to use the aluminum finish the 17 Pro currently has.
These could be the new iPhone 18 Pro colors we get this year. (Weibo)
iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e
Apple, according to a Weibo leaker, is reportedly downgrading the iPhone 18 to cut costs, MacRumors reports. This includes manufacturing processes, chips and memory, among other downgrades, with a goal to “bring it in line with the ’18e’ model.” While that would be unusual for Apple, the company is likely dealing with the same supply chain challenges that are bedeviling the entire tech industry, as the demand for RAM and storage for AI data centers drives up component prices across the board.
iPhone Air 2
There’s some debate about whether we’ll get an iPhone Air 2 or an iPhone 18 Plus. But rumors are leaning toward another thin phone, MacRumors reports. But will anything be different? Not really. It’s expected to have “very minor changes,” which would include improvements to the device’s battery life, a new chip for better performance and maybe a vapor chamber for improved cooling.
iPhone release dates
If the early reports are true, look for Apple to shake up its iPhone release schedule in a big way, with two big waves: The usual September timeframe for the flashy high-end models, and then late winter or early spring for the more affordable iPhones.
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September 2026: Expect the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and iPhone Fold to be announced in September, MacRumors reports. However, it’s possible the foldable iPhone won’t ship until as late as December. However, other reports suggest it’s on track for a September launch, though progress has reportedly been stalled due to hinge issues.
March 2027: The iPhone 18e, like its predecessor, will likely be released in the first quarter of 2027. Here’s where Apple is getting out of character: the base iPhone 18 will also likely be released at the same time, MacRumors says. That’s a departure from Apple’s usual release schedule, as it’s historically become available at the same time as the Pro models.
Lastly, either an iPhone Air 2 or iPhone 18 Plus is expected to ship at this time (we’re thinking it’ll be the Air).
iPhone 18 and iPhone Fold pricing
Trying to predict pricing on unannounced products is always a wild card, this year more so than ever. Apple can go to the moon on the price for the foldable iPhone, since it’s brand new and cutting-edge. Indeed, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says it’ll “cross the $2,000 threshold.” He didn’t specify if that was the starting price, but that’s nearly $1,000 more than the iPhone 17 Pro models with 256 GB. In comparison, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 starts at $1,100 (though it’s currently on sale for $900) and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold starts at $1,799 (on sale for $1,499).
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As for the rest of the line, one presumes that Apple wants to land more or less in the ranges of the current models, with the 18e and 18 landing at a fairly modest $599 and $799, and the Pro and Pro Max at $1,099 and $1,199, and the Air 2 slotting in the middle at $999. But given Apple’s aforementioned supply chain challenges, it will be interesting to see if it can still hit its steep profit margins without a price hike, or if it will opt for less costly (read: older) components, at least for the non-Pro models.