Next year, the iPhone is going ultra-premium with its fall lineup

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Recently, Apple’s iPhone lineup has consisted of the same four models each year, but that’s about to change. This fall, a thinner iPhone 17 Air will shake things up, but next year an even bigger shift is coming, with Apple offering its highest-end, most premium fall lineup yet.

Apple’s highest-end iPhone 18 models will launch next fall

We’re less than three months away from the iPhone 17 unveiling, with a lot of excitement building for the radically thin iPhone 17 Air.

iPhone 17 Air will represent a notable shakeup in Apple’s standard lineup, replacing the Plus model with a brand new form factor.

But things will get even more interesting next year.

Per reporting from multiple reputable sources, Apple’s fall 2026 lineup will get a high-end overhaul.

Here’s what’s expected:

iPhone 18 Air
iPhone 18 Pro
iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Fold

Do you notice what’s missing?

There’s no base model iPhone 18.

That’s because Apple plans to shift its lower-cost iPhone model into a spring release schedule instead.

Fall is for premium iPhones only, starting next year

Roughly six months after the high-end iPhone 18 models debut, two more budget-friendly options will emerge:

iPhone 18
iPhone 18e

This change means we’ll have more new iPhones each year than ever. And it also means the fall lineup will be more upscale than before.

iPhone 18 Air will be the most affordable fall model, and it’s expected to retail for ~$999, or possibly slightly less.

Prices will only go up from there, with iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max shooting comfortably past the $1,000 mark.

The brand new iPhone 18 Fold will round out the lineup. Though it’s far too early to get a decent sense of pricing, expectations are in the $2,000-$2,500 price range.

In other words, Apple’s flagship iPhones will have higher entry costs starting next year. And if you want a more affordable option, you’ll have to wait until the following spring.

What do you think of Apple shifting its fall iPhone lineup to be more premium? Let us know in the comments.