After a long stretch of the iPhone lineup looking very similar from year to year, Apple shook things up this fall by replacing its Plus model with the iPhone Air. But it sounds like next year’s iPhone 18 lineup could be far more of a departure for the company.
Fallout from the reported iPhone Air 2 delay
Over the past day, The Information has reported twice on Apple’s development of the iPhone Air 2.
Initially, the publication said the new model had been delayed indefinitely due to weak sales of the original iPhone Air. But a second report just hours later clarified that Apple hopes to ship the successor by spring 2027—not too long after the original fall 2026 launch plan.
The cause of the delay, per the report, is Apple’s desire to add a second rear camera to the device.
Before this scheduling shakeup, multiple sources had previously reported that Apple was planning a fall 2026 lineup that included iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, and iPhone Fold.
Four models total, but no base model iPhone 18. Instead, Apple reportedly intends to push it into early 2027.
But now following the iPhone Air 2 delay, such a move could leave Apple with its weirdest fall iPhone lineup in years.
Apple’s fall iPhone 18 lineup could be very unusual
When I first read about the iPhone Air 2 getting pushed out of the fall lineup, my first question involved the base model iPhone 18.
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