Apple plans to expand its iPhone lineup to seven models annually by 2027, according to a comprehensive roadmap report from The Information. The expansion includes under-display Face ID technology, a foldable device, and a redesigned iPhone Air 2 targeting spring 2027.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models scheduled for fall 2026 will eliminate the Dynamic Island cutout by moving Face ID sensors beneath the display. The front-facing camera will relocate to the top-left corner, creating more usable screen space while maintaining authentication security. These premium models will also feature a mechanical aperture for at least one camera, enabling improved low-light photography.
Apple's first foldable iPhone targets a fall 2026 release alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series. The device reportedly features a 7.7-inch interior display when unfolded and a 5.3-inch external screen, adopting a landscape orientation that differs from competitors' portrait-focused designs. Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station suggests the foldable will use a side-mounted fingerprint scanner instead of Face ID to maintain slim dimensions.
The iPhone Air 2 faces significant redesign after the first model's disappointing sales performance. Apple canceled trial production in November 2025 and is now considering adding a second rear camera and lowering the $999 starting price. The ultra-thin device will launch in spring 2027 alongside the base iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e models, marking Apple's shift toward separate spring and fall release cycles.
For spring 2026, Apple will introduce the iPhone 17e as an incremental upgrade to the iPhone 16e. The budget model will add magnetic wireless charging support that was absent from its predecessor. The base iPhone 18 arriving in spring 2027 will reportedly remove haptic feedback from the camera control button to reduce costs.
The 20th anniversary iPhone 20, scheduled for fall 2027, will feature curved glass wrapping around all four edges of the device. This design eliminates the black frame typically surrounding smartphone displays and moves all sensors, including the selfie camera, beneath the screen. A narrow metal band around the device's midpoint will house physical buttons instead of a full metal frame.
By 2027, Apple's expanded lineup could include the iPhone e budget model, standard iPhone, iPhone Air, Pro, Pro Max, Ultra, and foldable variants. This seven-model structure mirrors Samsung's diverse Galaxy portfolio and aims to capture broader market segments. Supply chain analysts estimate the expanded release cadence could boost annual iPhone shipments by 10-15 percent.
The iPhone Air redesign addresses specific consumer complaints about the original model's limitations. Despite its $999 price, the current iPhone Air offers only a single 48-megapixel camera, shorter battery life, and a single speaker. Apple's suppliers have reportedly scaled back production due to weaker-than-expected demand.
Manufacturing challenges persist for Apple's ambitious roadmap. LG Display and Samsung are improving under-panel sensor production yields from 40 to 70 percent, according to supply chain sources. Foxconn and Pegatron face retooling costs for foldable hinge assembly lines, while under-screen camera technology adds $50-70 per unit in component costs.
Apple's expansion comes amid intensifying competition from Samsung and Chinese manufacturers in the foldable and premium smartphone segments. The company plans to test under-screen camera technology in the 2026 foldable iPhone before implementing it in the 2027 iPhone 20, allowing refinement based on user feedback about image quality through OLED panels.
The strategic shift positions Apple to compete more effectively across price tiers, from budget models starting around $599 to premium devices approaching $2,000. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo forecasts foldable iPhone shipments reaching 8-10 million units in 2026 and 20-25 million in 2027, though Apple currently trails Samsung's 50 percent market share in the foldable category.
Apple declined to comment on the roadmap report, according to The Information. The company typically maintains tight control over product leaks, but recent prototype builds of iOS 26 have revealed internal codenames for dozens of unreleased Apple products, including the rumored devices.
