Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has shared Apple’s future iPhone release roadmap, and there are a bunch of interesting takeaways from it.
From iPhone 17 to iPhone 19, Apple is Going to Break its Release into Two Parts
Apple is all set to release a new iPhone this year. Shocking, I know.
However, Ming-Chi Kuo has shared when exactly the new iPhone will be released. But he has done so for models going all the way to the second half of 2027.
There are a few interesting things in his small report that immediately stand out, and you’ll know exactly under a minute.
2H 2025
In this time-frame, Apple is going to release the iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Air and the standard iPhone 17 model. Notice the missing iPhone 17e? It’s coming.
1H 2026
In the first half of 2026, Apple is going to release the iPhone 17e. Again, Apple is going to have a total of five phones in the iPhone 17 lineup, just like the iPhone 16.
2H 2026
This is going to be a very, very interesting year. Apple is going to release the iPhone Foldable, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Air.
These phones are expected to be slightly expensive due to the use of 2nm chips too.
What’s missing here? The iPhone 18 and the iPhone 18e.
1H 2027
Apple is going to release the iPhone 18e in the first half of 2027. But strangely enough, it is also going to release the standard iPhone 18 alongside the ‘e’ model.
2H 2027
In the second half of 2027, Apple is going to release the iPhone Foldable 2, iPhone 19 Pro Max, iPhone 19 Pro and the iPhone 19 Air with a larger display compared to before.
My Take
Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is following this release schedule because Apple is facing intense competition in China. It makes sense, since that is one market that’s in a constant state of competition. The lack of innovation will instantly boot Apple out of the market.
If you look at all the models from the above release schedule, you’ll notice that the 20th anniversary iPhone from 2027 is not strictly mentioned. Instead, the iPhone 19 Pro, iPhone 19 Pro Max and iPhone 19 Air are mentioned.
I have this feeling that Apple is not doing anything special when it comes to naming schemes. But will take things to the next level in terms of design.
Lastly, Since the ‘Air’ model exists, I don’t see the relevance of the ‘base’ model iPhone. I have this feeling it will be eventually replaced by the iPhone Air beyond 2027.
