This year, slim models; next year, foldable devices. Apple is brewing a major transformation of the iPhone lineup

Thin, foldable, full-screen... Apple is finally no longer "squeezing toothpaste," and some unprecedented reforms are coming?

According to technology media The Information, on May 3rd Eastern Time, Apple plans to launch a new ultra-thin iPhone with a thickness of 5.5 mm later this year and is expected to introduce a foldable phone in 2026.

At the same time, Apple will adjust the release rhythm of next year's iPhone, planning to prioritize the launch of a more high-end iPhone Pro series in the fall of 2026, while the basic iPhone will be delayed until the spring of 2027 to boost sales and production efficiency.

In addition, Apple plans to move Face ID and sensors under the screen, removing the unsightly "pill-shaped screen" to achieve a true full-screen design.

The core goal of Apple's series of actions is obvious - to revitalize the long-stagnant iPhone sales, as the iPhone currently contributes more than half of the company's revenue.

5.5 mm - The thinnest model in the company's history

According to media reports, Apple will launch an ultra-thin iPhone with a thickness of about 5.5 mm this year, which will be the thinnest phone in the company's history and one of the thinnest smartphones on the market. Apple hopes this will encourage consumers to upgrade their phones more frequently, addressing the issue of users delaying upgrades due to the annual "squeezing toothpaste" style of minor upgrades.

However, while the thin iPhone has a novel design, it also faces many challenges. Due to the slimming of the body, Apple has to make compromises in several areas. For example, the iPhone will have only one speaker instead of the usual two, and the rear camera lens will be reduced to a single lens, with battery life also shortened. Internal tests show that the battery life of the ultra-thin model cannot be compared to previous iPhones. The proportion of users who can use it for a whole day without charging is only 60% to 70%, while for other models, this figure is 80% to 90%.

To compensate for this shortcoming, according to three people familiar with the matter, Apple is developing an accessory specifically designed for this thin model - a phone case with a built-in battery to enhance its battery performance.

Since this is a brand new product with no historical demand to reference, there is significant uncertainty regarding market acceptance, to the extent that Apple's manufacturing partners in Asia have allocated only about 10% of their capacity for this new model. Two people directly familiar with the situation revealed that manufacturers are reserving the majority of their capacity for the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Pro, accounting for approximately 40% and 25% of total production, respectively, with the remaining portion allocated for the standard iPhone 17 model.

One informed source stated that it is impossible to predict whether the production lines being set up by manufacturers will be sufficient to produce this thin iPhone before pre-orders begin in September. For all these reasons, manufacturers reserving capacity for this phone are considering how quickly they can shift production lines to other models if this thin model does not sell well

The First Foldable iPhone is Coming, Adjusting the Release Rhythm of Phones

Apple also plans to launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026, which will feature a book-style foldable design. The screen size when unfolded will be close to 8 inches, while the outer screen size when closed will be approximately 5.7 inches, perfectly balancing "portability" and "large screen experience." The launch of this foldable iPhone will add more innovative elements to Apple's product line.

In addition to the thin iPhone and foldable iPhone, Apple plans to adjust the release rhythm of the iPhone in 2026.

Specifically, Apple will prioritize the launch of high-end flagship models such as the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18 Air, and possibly the foldable iPhone in the fall of 2026; while the base model iPhone 18 will be delayed until spring 2027.

By adjusting the time window for iPhone releases (staggered releases), Apple can more effectively manage production and reduce the pressure of needing a large number of production workers and equipment at the same time.

Specifically, Apple typically begins production of new iPhones in the summer to prepare inventory for the fall release. The order volume after the release peaks during the winter holiday shopping season, after which production gradually decreases. This makes it difficult for Apple's manufacturing partners to maintain the same number of workers and equipment throughout the year. Therefore, Apple's adjustment of the release plan to gradually launch different models of iPhones can help address this issue.

In the past two years, global demand for iPhones has slowed. Apple's iPhone sales in fiscal year 2023 fell by more than 2% year-on-year, and sales in the first half of fiscal years 2024 and 2025 remained basically flat. However, by delaying the release of the next generation base model iPhone by five to six months and launching higher-end iPhones first, it may drive overall sales growth.

Horace Dediu, founder of market analysis firm Asymco, stated:

"Releasing higher-end models earlier and then launching lower-end models may encourage early adopters to purchase the more expensive models first."

Pill-shaped Screen Changed to Full Screen

The screen design of the 2026 iPhone may see a significant innovation.

Apple plans to move the Face ID, proximity sensor, and ambient light sensor of its iPhone under the screen, allowing for a nearly unobstructed full-screen display, eliminating the unsightly cutout of the current pill-shaped screen at the top.

Additionally, the design of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will leave only a small hole in the upper left corner for the front camera. Two insiders indicated that this design suggests that at least one iPhone model in 2027 will have the front camera hidden under the screen, achieving a true full-screen design