Ask yourself this: what happens when Apple treats 2026 like a dress rehearsal for 2027? Leaks and analyst notes over the past few weeks sketch out an aggressive, two‑stage roadmap for the iPhone family — one that puts the most daring hardware in the spotlight this September and saves the more mainstream models for spring.
The short version: Apple is widely reported to launch only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and a long‑rumored foldable iPhone in fall 2026, with the standard iPhone 18 and cheaper variants pushed into 2027. If the rumors hold, buyers who want anything new next year will be choosing between premium Pros or an even pricier foldable.
The design shakeups — smaller cutouts, new colors, and a fold
A recurring detail across leaks is a dramatic rethink of the front‑facing sensor area on the Pro models. Multiple sources say Apple is testing under‑display Face ID that would let it shrink the Dynamic Island to a much smaller cutout — or even replace the pill entirely with a tiny hole‑punch for the camera while the biometric sensors sit beneath the glass. Reports vary on exactly how seamless this will be, but the aim is clear: a cleaner, less obtrusive top bezel area on the Pro phones.
The foldable iPhone, meanwhile, appears to be a different animal. Analysts say it will favor a book‑style fold with a usable outer display and a larger inner screen — compact outside, tablet‑like when opened — and, because of internal space and hinge constraints, will use Touch ID rather than Face ID. Early size numbers float between a 7.6–7.8" inner display and roughly a 5.3–5.5" outer screen, with a closed thickness in the ~9–9.5mm range and a featherlight 4.5mm when opened in some leaks.
Color fans haven’t been ignored: prototypes reportedly include new shades such as burgundy, purple and a brown/espresso tone, though Apple’s final palette often changes between testing and launch.
If this sounds familiar in footprint and feel to the current Pro phones, that’s deliberate — the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to keep the 6.3" and 6.9" sizes respectively, much like the iPhone 17 family; for perspective on how Apple has handled these size tiers before, see our look at the differences between the iPhone 17 models (/news/iphone-17-pro-upgrade-guide).
Power under the glass: A20 Pro, 2nm and RAM on the wafer
One of the clearest common threads in reports is the chipset: Apple’s next flagship silicon, likely branded A20 Pro, is said to use TSMC’s 2nm (N2) process. Beyond the usual gains in speed and efficiency, the A20 is expected to come in a new wafer‑level multi‑chip module (WMCM) package that integrates LPDDR5 RAM directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU and Neural Engine. Leaks peg the Pro and foldable SKUs at 12GB of RAM.
Why does that matter? WMCM promises lower latency between the processor and memory, a smaller chip footprint (freeing internal space), and better power efficiency — advantages that translate directly into faster app performance, longer battery life and improved on‑device AI. Apple has been explicit about beefing up local AI workloads in the coming year, and this silicon move dovetails with that push. Apple’s plan to pair more capable hardware with a new Siri (reportedly powered in part by a custom Google Gemini model) suggests the company is serious about running heavier AI features directly on iPhones (/news/apple-google-gemini-siri).
Cameras, modems and a few toggles of uncertainty
Camera rumors show incremental and some ambitious changes: triple 48MP rear sensors remain the baseline for Pro models, with periscope telephoto lenses expected on the bigger Pro Max and possibly the fold. Some leaks even mention a variable aperture mechanism for the main camera on the Pro Max — a mechanical iris that would let photographers dial aperture for creative control and low‑light performance. Front‑camera resolutions vary between reports (18MP in some analyst notes, 24MP in others), so take the exact numbers with caution.
On connectivity, Apple appears to be moving to its own C2 modem for 5G, potentially reducing reliance on Qualcomm. Separately, there’s chatter about wider satellite features beyond SOS — such as basic 5G fallback — but those items remain speculative.
Pricing and materials: premium positioning
The foldable is shaping up as Apple’s halo product. Materials chatter points to a titanium + aluminum construction for the fold, whereas the Pro models will likely stick with aluminum builds. Expected pricing for the fold varies widely in leaks: the most eye‑catching range is $1,800–$2,500, which would place it as a high‑end device aimed at early adopters and prosumers rather than mainstream buyers.
What this strategy signals
Two things jump out. First, Apple is tilting 2026 toward premium innovation: Pro and foldable models get the new silicon, advanced cameras and fresh industrial design, while the mass market will wait until 2027 for the regular iPhone 18 and thinner, cheaper Air variants. Second, the hardware choices — N2, WMCM with on‑wafer RAM, integrated C2 modem — are coordinated around enabling richer on‑device AI and longer battery life, not just raw benchmark wins.
Rumors are encouraging, but they’re still rumors. Apple’s final choices on under‑display Face ID, camera hardware and the foldable’s hinge and durability will matter far more than early render videos and prototype color tests. What’s clear is that Apple is preparing a meaningful pivot: cleaner screens, more local processing, and a high‑end foldable that, if priced and executed well, could reshape how we think about what an iPhone can be.
September is the likely reveal window; until then, expect more leaks, tweaks and a steady drip of clarifying details.