For the first time ever! Apple plans "three consecutive years of major revisions," successively launching new models such as foldable phones and curved screens

Apple Inc. is planning an unprecedented overhaul of its iconic product, the iPhone.

According to a report by Bloomberg, the tech giant plans to launch significant design revisions over the next three years, introducing various new forms such as thinner, foldable, and curved screen models, which is a first in the history of the iPhone.

This series of major changes will kick off this September. Apple will release a new slim model called "iPhone Air," which will replace the existing Plus model.

Then in 2026, Apple will launch its first foldable iPhone, codenamed V68, featuring a book-style design similar to the Samsung Galaxy Fold, which can unfold into a small tablet.

By 2027, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, Apple will release a model with a brand new curved glass design, completely bidding farewell to the square frame design used since 2020.

This three-year plan for significant design changes marks a renewed focus on the flagship product's appearance after years of slowing innovation in the iPhone.

iPhone Air Leads the Charge This Year

In September this year, Apple will launch the iPhone 17 series, with the most notable being the all-new iPhone Air, which will replace the iPhone 16 Plus and become a new member of the product lineup.

This product follows Apple's strategy first introduced with the MacBook Air in 2008—thinner, lighter, and more market-attractive.

However, the ultra-thin design comes with compromises. The battery life of the iPhone Air will be inferior to the standard version, equipped with only one rear camera, and it will eliminate the physical SIM card slot. This model will also be the first to use Apple's self-developed modem chip instead of the more powerful Qualcomm version.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max series, set to launch in 2025, will not have disruptive changes in appearance. The Pro models will update the camera system and rear industrial design and offer a new orange option, but overall changes will be relatively mild.

First Foldable iPhone Arrives in 2026

The real game changer will arrive in 2026—the first foldable iPhone from Apple. This device, codenamed V68, features a design similar to Samsung's book-style foldable phones and can unfold into a small tablet.

Reports indicate that this will be a key step for Apple to enter the emerging market of foldable devices.

According to currently disclosed details, this foldable phone will be equipped with four cameras (one front, one inner screen, two rear), and like the iPhone Air, it will eliminate the SIM card slot.

In terms of biometric technology, this device will return to Touch ID fingerprint recognition instead of Face ID facial recognition It is reported that Apple suppliers have already begun preparations for this new model, planning to start mass production early next year to catch up with the autumn launch. Currently, Apple is testing two color schemes, black and white, with suppliers.

The device will also be equipped with the C2 modem, which is Apple's first self-developed cellular chip with performance close to Qualcomm's latest products. Apple has recently adjusted the screen technology for the foldable iPhone, changing from the originally planned touch sensor to an embedded touch screen more similar to existing iPhones, in order to reduce creases and improve touch accuracy.

Curved Glass Design to Debut in 2027

In 2027, on the 20th anniversary of the iPhone's debut, Apple will launch the "iPhone 20" featuring a curved glass design. This design will completely bid farewell to the flat-edged style that has been in place since 2020, shifting to a design with curved glass edges all around.

This breakthrough in design is expected to work well with Apple's planned new "Liquid Glass" interactive interface, bringing users a refreshing visual and tactile experience, and setting a new design tone for the next decade of the iPhone.

Breaking the Design Stalemate and Reviving the "Excitement" of Flagship Products

Apple's three-year transformation plan is fundamentally driven by the need to address the "fatigue" of iPhone design innovation.

In recent years, iPhone updates have mostly focused on internal components such as chips and cameras, while the "surprise factor" of the exterior design has diminished significantly. Consumers are purchasing new devices more out of necessity rather than being attracted by new designs.

Some believe that the iPhone's appearance has lost the "wow factor" that once made people willing to queue for purchases. By continuously introducing radically different new designs, Apple aims to break this stalemate, reignite consumer enthusiasm, and demonstrate to the market and investors that the iPhone remains the core of this world's most valuable company's innovation engine