2025 was one of the most exciting years for smartphones in recent times. Unlike last year, we saw some actual hardware changes instead of incremental upgrades bundled with barely-working AI features. From Samsung reinventing its Galaxy Z Fold to Apple introducing an all-new iPhone Air, this year saw it all. This sets a strong precedent for 2026 smartphone launches.
Next year, there should be room for a few surprises alongside regular upgrades such as more powerful chipsets, better cameras and improved AI capabilities. The folding phone market is expected to attract more entrants and 2026 could finally be the year when Apple launches a folding iPhone and Samsung gives us a tri-fold.
There are a bunch of exciting devices to look forward to next year. Here's a closer look at the phones you can expect in 2026.
Apple
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max marked the return of vibrant colors to Apple's highest-end iPhones. Prakhar Khanna/CNET
A split iPhone 18 launch strategy
Apple introduced a slew of upgrades with the iPhone 17 line -- an 18-megapixel selfie shooter, upgraded rear camera optics, thermal cooling on the Pro variants, among other updates. It also added the thin iPhone Air to the lineup. For next year, the Cupertino company could take things to the next level by shaking up its product launch timeline.
For years, Apple has continued to announce the base iPhone model alongside its Pro siblings, while also experimenting with Mini, Plus and Air variants. This could change in 2026. According to a report from The Information and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Cupertino-based company may push the launch of the vanilla iPhone 18 to early 2027 in a bid to make space for the iPhone Fold's launch.
Apple could still announce four iPhone models in September 2026, but the lineup and timing would look slightly different. In September 2026, we could see the launch of a new iPhone Air, iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max in new colors and the all-new iPhone Fold. But the standard iPhone 18 is tipped to be released alongside the iPhone 18E in March 2027.
The new Apple iPhone launch cycle might be:
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