Apple appears to be gearing up for a significant transformation of its iPhone lineup, as the well-known smartphone faces declining sales.
According to reports, the tech giant based in Cupertino plans to redesign its main iPhone for the third consecutive year. This initiative kicked off this September with the release of a new “Skinny” iPhone Air model, building up to an anticipated release of foldable iPhones in 2026, as stated by Bloomberg.
The iPhone Air model, which draws inspiration from Apple’s lightweight laptop of the same name, has a sleeker design, but it does come with some drawbacks, including reduced battery life compared to flagship versions and the limitation of having only one rear camera.
This fall, Apple is also expected to introduce the upgraded iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Looking ahead to next year, there’s buzz about a foldable iPhone reportedly called the “V68.” According to Bloomberg, this device is set to feature four cameras and is projected to begin full production ahead of its release next year.
In 2027, Apple plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iPhone with a new “curved glass” design for the iPhone 20.
This push for innovation comes at a tense time for CEO Tim Cook and Apple. The company is grappling with the complex integration of artificial intelligence capabilities into its devices. Meanwhile, iPhone sales, which significantly contribute to the company’s revenue, have flatlined in recent years.
At a global developer conference held in June, Apple acknowledged ongoing delays in revamping its Siri Voice Assistant.
Bloomberg recently reported that Apple is exploring ways to enhance Siri with Google’s Gemini AI model.
Additionally, the company has been adversely affected by President Trump’s tariffs on crucial manufacturing partners, notably China. Cook noted last month that these tariffs could add $1.1 billion to the company’s expenses this quarter.
In response to these challenges, Cook has been working to lessen Apple’s dependency on Chinese manufacturing, looking to shift more production to India and even the U.S. He recently discussed the company’s U.S. manufacturing goals during a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office.
Furthermore, Apple faces the looming hurdles of the Department of Justice’s antitrust case, with accusations that it has used illegal tactics to maintain its grip on the iPhone ecosystem.
