It has been an unbreakable tradition for 14 years. Since 2011, Apple has presented a new line of mobile phones every fall iPhone. This was not the case in the first launches, in which, with the exception of the original iPhone – which Steve Jobs introduced into the MacWorld January 2007 -, announced them at the developer conference WWDC which the company celebrates in June. But that custom will change in 2026 and will mean that the iPhone 18 don’t come out until 2027, which will leave 2026 without the base model.
The new strategy was advanced last May by the analyst Ming-Chi Kuowho stated that the Cupertino company planned to change the iPhone launch schedule due to the incorporation of new models to the range. Now it is Bloomberg who provides more details about Apple’s decision to move to semi-annual iPhone releases.
According to the analyst Mark Gurman in its weekly Power On section, Apple is going to change how and when it presents its new phones starting in 2026. According to Bloomberg, Apple will introduce three high-end iPhones next fallincluding the iPhone 18 Prohe iPhone 18 Pro Max and the expected foldable iPhone.
After, about six months laterthey would arrive in stores on iPhone 18he iPhone 18e and possibly a iPhone Air renewed to complete the annual cycle. Gurman affirms that this pattern could continue for the next few years and Apple launch five or even six new models every year on a regular basis.
Traditionally, new iPhones are introduced at the end of September, in some years followed by an ‘SE’ model or the more affordable ‘e’ variant months later. Although this approach simplified planning, it also overwhelmed Apple’s internal engineering and marketing teams as well as suppliers around the world.
Gurman notes that moving to semi-annual releases could help Apple ensure more stable income during the year and reduce pressure on your teams and suppliers. I would also avoid that premium and economic models compete with each other.
Samsung has used a similar strategy before, with Galaxy S arriving in January or February and the folding models in July or August. By spreading iPhone releases throughout the year, Apple now has more possibilities to compete with Samsung in the market.
The company is expected to have an especially busy schedule in 2026. The year would begin with the launch of the iPhone 17ea iPad input with chip A18 and a iPad Air with processor M4. There will also be new models of MacBook with updated chips and a smart screen in preparation for 2026.