Slim and foldable iPhones may soon become commonplace.

      Apple's iPhone lineup is set for a significant transformation, assuming this leak is accurate, which will also impact our list of the best smartphones. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has detailed the anticipated release schedule for each iPhone through the latter half of 2027, indicating a trend towards new products and a change in Apple's traditional release strategy to accommodate them.

      In line with an earlier report from The Information, Kuo has presented Apple’s roadmap for its forthcoming iPhones, revealing some intriguing details. For starters, Apple may abandon the established release calendar that has been in effect since 2011. The lineup is reportedly going to be divided, with budget models launching earlier in the year and high-end models debuting in the latter half. By 2025, this familiar schedule is expected to conclude, paving the way for a completely new approach to iPhone releases in 2026.

      According to Kuo's forecasts, the iPhone 17 will debut in the latter half of 2025, including the iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Slim, and the standard iPhone 17. Following this, the iPhone 17e is expected to launch in the first half of 2026, maintaining a consistent release pattern, arriving roughly a year after its predecessor.

      The transition will begin in the second half of 2026, shifting the emphasis from standard iPhones to Apple's newer products, such as the foldable iPhone and the iPhone Slim. During this period, we will see the introduction of the first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Slim. Those anticipating the standard iPhone 18 will have to wait a bit longer.

      This strategic shift allows Apple to highlight its exciting new foldable devices and the slimmer iPhone, which are expected to reemerge shortly afterward. In the first half of 2027, we can expect the launch of the base iPhone 18 and the iPhone 18e. However, the latter half will once again be filled with thrilling products, including the second-generation foldable iPhone, the iPhone 19 Pro Max, iPhone 19 Pro, and iPhone 19 Slim.

      By concentrating on high-end products in the second half of the year, Apple may capitalize on the holiday season to promote its more expensive, innovative offerings. Meanwhile, the base and budget models will follow later during a quieter market phase, coinciding with Samsung’s annual Android release, ensuring that Apple remains in the spotlight throughout the year.