All of the iPhone variants Apple is rumored to be engaged on

A dialog I typically have with certainly one of my former Apple Retailer teammates is how a lot we miss the thought of Apple promoting a single flagship iPhone. A remnant of the Steve Jobs period was Apple unveiling one new iPhone mannequin whereas persevering with to promote the earlier years at a reduced worth. Certainly one of Apple CEO Tim Cook’s hallmarks on the firm has been his means to increase the corporate’s product choices to swimsuit a greater variety of worth factors and have necessities, like display screen sizes.

In 2014, Apple launched the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, similar telephones however with totally different show sizes. In 2017, Apple unveiled three telephones: the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. In 2020, Apple expanded its lineup once more with the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Then, in 2022, Apple swapped out its mini mannequin with a Plus selection with the iPhone 14 lineup.

For sure, Apple has been enjoying round with and increasing its varied iPhone choices for years now. From what experiences inform us, the iPhone 12 and 13 minis didn’t promote properly, ensuing of their alternative by the iPhone 14 and 15 Plus. But, these aren’t promoting properly, both. Now, we’re listening to rumors that Apple is getting ready for the discharge of an alleged iPhone 16 Ultra. On the similar time, the corporate is reportedly growing an iPhone 17 Slim or iPhone 17 Air, together with an iPhone Flip or iPhone Fold for a launch in 2026 or later. Let’s briefly take a look at every of those doable future iPhones and the way they could entice iPhone consumers.

iPhone 16 Extremely

Anticipated launch: September 2024

Aligning with the Apple Watch Extremely and M2 Extremely chip, an iPhone 16 Extremely is rumored to be positioned as an much more premium iPhone than the iPhone 16 Professional Max. Rumor has it that this iPhone will characteristic a fair larger 6.9-inch show, making it the most important ever. It’s doable the iPhone 16 Extremely may additionally have a brand new, extra highly effective A18 Professional chip together with storage tiers as much as 2TB. It’s additionally protected to take a position that this cellphone would have among the best cameras we’ve ever seen on an iPhone. If we do see a cellphone like this come out this fall, relaxation assured, I’ll be giving Apple my bank card but once more.

iPhone 17 Slim

Anticipated launch: September 2025

What we count on from an iPhone 17 Slim continues to be just a little murky. That’s unsurprising, because the iPhone 16 lineup hasn’t even launched but. What we predict is for Apple to launch a brand new, considerably thinner iPhone that we are able to assume can even be an incredible deal lighter. This rumored iPhone 17 Slim will possible characteristic a 6.6-inch show, an A19 processor, and regardless of the flagship digital camera is at launch. Nonetheless, the main target of this gadget might be on its thinness, lightness, and battery life, which is able to possible function an much more premium choice above the iPhone 17 Professional and iPhone 17 Professional Max.

iPhone 17 Air

Anticipated launch: September 2025

Lately, rumors began surfacing that Apple was engaged on an iPhone 17 Air as a substitute of an iPhone 17 Slim. Rumors are simply that — rumors. They modify on a regular basis as new data is sourced. Whereas the iPhone 17 Slim is or was anticipated to be a extra premium iPhone, specializing in its thinness, lightness, and battery life to demand the next worth level, new leaks recommend that we’ll as a substitute see a extra reasonably priced mannequin.

The {hardware} rumors for this cellphone are nonetheless broadly the identical, with a 6.6-inch show and an A19 processor. A few of query marks nonetheless encompass what the casing materials might be, as that may point out whether or not we’ll see a premium Slim mannequin or a extra price-conscious Air one. Apple executives have said beforehand that gadgets with the Air branding are supposed to include pro-level options at a extra reasonably priced worth. Arguably, the present base-level iPhones already try this.

iPhone Fold

Anticipated launch: September 2026 or later

Whereas it’s unclear whether or not Apple will go along with an iPhone Fold or iPhone Flip, the tech large is anticipated to launch a foldable gadget by 2026 on the earliest (it is extra possible it might be 2027 or later). Stories point out that Apple is investigating foldable Macs, iPads, and iPhones internally so we may see one other product launch earlier than a foldable cellphone. Arguably, from a performance and portability perspective, a foldable pill makes much more sense than a foldable cellphone. Nonetheless, the sensible use case for a foldable continues to be certainly one of cautious curiosity for me.