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Apple Set to Shift to Twice-Yearly iPhone Releases Starting in 2026

The change aims to ease supplier strain.

Overview

  • Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that fall 2026 will feature iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and Apple’s first foldable iPhone, with the iPhone 18, 18e and possibly a refreshed iPhone Air following about six months later.
  • Gurman says the iPhone Air 2 was not pushed out from 2026, countering The Information’s claim of a delay tied to weak sales and a planned second rear camera.
  • The next iPhone Air is expected to prioritize a new 2‑nanometer A‑class chip to boost efficiency and battery life, while a dual‑camera redesign remains uncertain and is viewed as unlikely by Gurman.
  • Apple is said to have positioned the iPhone Air as a niche model accounting for roughly 6%–8% of new iPhone sales and as a technology testbed for materials and miniaturization work feeding into the foldable program.
  • The split launch cadence is described as a way to smooth revenue through the year, reduce pressure on teams and suppliers, and navigate early limits on TSMC’s 2nm chip capacity.