Two new models are expected to be added to Apple’s iPhone lineup, and given that the company has a propensity for selling its devices in the millions while giving preference to quality over quantity, it has to make some compromises in 2026. According to the latest report, the base iPhone 18 will be getting phased out, and while that potentially means that customers will have to prepare a higher amount to upgrade next year, the technology giant is introducing two new models in its place, making it quite an extensive launch.
A total of five iPhone models will be added to Apple’s family in 2026, with the iPhone 17e arriving first
With the iPhone 17 Air effectively replacing the ‘Plus’ variant later this year, Apple is planning yet another change to its launch plans in 2026. According to ETNews, the base version of the iPhone 18 will be removed from the series, which might lead you to conclude that instead of four flagships that Apple has stuck with announcing for years, we will now only get three. However, you are forgetting that the foldable iPhone will be a part of the lineup, and those interested in making the latter their daily driver are expected to fork over a massive sum because the device is estimated to fetch a retail price between $2,000 and $2,500.
Before Apple proceeds with the launch in late 2026, the company is scheduled to unveil the iPhone 17e, which will be the direct successor to the iPhone 16e, sporting top-notch specifications for a slightly ‘lower than premium’ price range. However, there is no way of knowing if it will offer the same value as the base iPhone 18, but at the same, Apple does not want its smartphone lineup to appear cluttered, because if there are too many choices, it might still result in the California-based titan generating a ton of sales, but one or two models will definitely suffer a ‘lack of popularity’ casualty.
Also, Apple offering too many iPhone models in a calendar year would not make the company any different from Samsung, which provides droves of devices to help it reach that unrivaled smartphone shipment tally by the end of the year. To recap, next year, based on the latest report, we will be greeted by the iPhone 17e, followed by the iPhone 18 Air, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and lastly, the foldable iPhone.
News Source: ETNews
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