According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple is in the middle of a three-year plan to radically overhaul the iPhone. The roadmap includes three stages: a new Pro model design (already implemented), a foldable iPhone this year at a record price, and an anniversary model for the smartphone’s 20th anniversary in 2027. Here’s what’s known about each stage and what actually matters for buyers.
Apple began a fairly serious iPhone overhaul as early as 2025
What Apple Is Preparing for the iPhone in 2026
According to the Bloomberg report, the plan looks like this:
- September 2025 — iPhone 17 Pro with a new aluminum design and iPhone Air (already on sale)
- September 2026 — Foldable iPhone
- September 2027 — Anniversary iPhone for the lineup’s 20th anniversary
Gurman notes that this roadmap is a priority for Apple’s leadership, including John Ternus, head of the hardware division. Ternus is widely considered the most likely successor to Tim Cook as CEO.
The first stage with the return to aluminum in flagships and the release of an ultra-thin smartphone is complete
The first stage is already complete: iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max received an updated aluminum body with a distinctive camera “platform” and a Ceramic Shield back panel for MagSafe. Alongside them, the iPhone Air was released — the thinnest iPhone in history.
Foldable iPhone 2026: Specs, Screen, and Cameras
The main novelty this year is the foldable iPhone, which, according to rumors, opens like a book, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. In its unfolded state, it will provide a large screen for video, games, and multitasking.
Next comes the foldable
According to previous leaks, the foldable iPhone will feature a 7.7-inch inner screen and a 5.3-inch outer screen. Initially, reports suggested a virtually invisible crease on the inner display, but Bloomberg later clarified: Apple is using technology that reduces the crease but does not eliminate it completely.
Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts the device will feature:
- Two rear cameras
- One front camera
- A power button with Touch ID instead of Face ID
The return to Touch ID is an unexpected move. This is likely because fitting the Face ID system into a thin foldable body is technically challenging. For users accustomed to Face ID since 2017, this could feel like a step backward in convenience.
What’s New in iOS 27
A separate question is software support. According to available information, iOS 27 will feature functions available only on the foldable iPhone: running two apps simultaneously on one screen and other multitasking elements familiar to iPad users.
iOS will need a serious update for the foldable
This makes sense: a 7.7-inch screen is closer in size to an iPad mini than to a regular iPhone. If Apple truly implements full iPadOS multitasking, the foldable iPhone could claim the role of a universal device — both a phone and a mini-tablet in one body.
What Will the 2027 iPhone Look Like
The third stage of the plan is an anniversary model for the iPhone’s 20th anniversary. Earlier reports indicated that Apple aims to create a device with an all-glass body and a screen without any cutouts. To achieve this, the front camera would be hidden under the display.
This is the kind of anniversary iPhone Apple dreams of, but can they pull it off
It sounds impressive, but Gurman himself hedges: it’s still unclear whether Apple can achieve such an ambitious design by 2027. Under-display cameras exist among competitors, but the quality of shooting through the display still falls short of traditional solutions. These details should be treated as a rumor rather than a confirmed fact.
Should You Wait for New iPhones Until 2027
Here’s what to consider right now:
If you have an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, there’s no rush. Your device will be supported for several more years, and the first-generation foldable iPhone is always an experiment with compromises (no Face ID, a possible screen crease, likely a high price).
If you’ve been thinking about buying a new iPhone for a while and aren’t interested in a foldable design, the current iPhone 17 Pro is an excellent choice. Waiting two years for the 2027 anniversary model only makes sense if your current phone handles your tasks well.
If the foldable iPhone is fundamentally interesting to you, fall 2026 is your date. But be prepared for the fact that the first generation of any new form factor from Apple typically comes at a premium price and offers a limited set of features compared to mature product lines.
