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Is Apple’s Radical iPhone Overhaul a Mistake? Why the iPhone 17 Air’s Battery Could Be a Disappointing Problem.
Apple is preparing to change its iPhone lineup in big ways. If you are thinking about your next phone, it is helpful to know what is coming. For the next three years, starting in 2025, Apple plans to release a very different type of iPhone each year. This is a new approach for the company, which usually makes smaller changes year to year.
This plan suggests that Apple wants to give customers more distinct choices. Instead of just picking a size or a color, you will soon be able to choose a phone based on its entire design and purpose. Let’s look at the three major phones expected in this plan: a much thinner model, a foldable phone, and a special 20th-anniversary edition. Understanding these future products can help you decide when might be the best time to upgrade and which phone will be the right fit for your life.
The First Step: A Thinner iPhone 17 “Air” in 2025
The first major change is expected in 2025 with the iPhone 17. Reports suggest Apple will introduce a new model that could be called the “iPhone 17 Air.” This name is important. It reminds us of the MacBook Air, which is known for being very thin and light. This new phone is planned to be the thinnest iPhone ever made.
This new “Air” model is expected to replace the current “Plus” model. For years, the Plus model has been the choice for people who want a large screen without paying the higher price for a Pro Max phone. By removing the Plus, Apple is changing its strategy. The new focus will be on an elegant, slim design.
However, this design choice comes with a trade-off. To make a phone that thin, something has to give. In this case, it will likely be the battery. A thinner phone has less space inside for a large battery. This means the iPhone 17 Air might not last as long on a single charge compared to other models. For people who value a thin and light phone above all else, this will be a great option. But if you depend on having a long battery life to get through your day, this is something you will need to consider carefully.
The Big Fold: Apple’s iPhone 18 Fold in 2026
The following year, in 2026, Apple is expected to enter a new market with the iPhone 18 Fold. This would be Apple’s first-ever foldable phone. Other companies already sell foldable phones, but Apple has been waiting. Now, it seems they are ready to show their own version.
The design is described as a “book-style” foldable. This means it will open and close like a book.
Outer Screen
When closed, it will have a screen on the outside, said to be around 5.5 inches. This will let you use it like a normal phone for quick tasks.
Inner Screen
When you open it up, a much larger screen on the inside will be revealed, measuring about 7.8 inches. This screen would be almost as big as an iPad Mini, making it great for watching videos, reading, or running two apps side-by-side.
This foldable phone is rumored to bring back a feature many people miss: Touch ID. It would be an updated version of the fingerprint sensor for unlocking the phone. The phone is also expected to have a powerful camera system with four cameras in total: two on the back and two for selfies (one for when it’s open and one for when it’s closed).
Another significant change with the iPhone 18 Fold could be the complete removal of the physical SIM card tray. The phone would only use eSIMs, which are digital SIM cards. This change helps save precious space inside the complex foldable hardware. This move to eSIM-only could eventually happen for all iPhone models, especially for international versions.
The Celebration: A Special iPhone 20 in 2027
The third year of the plan, 2027, marks the 20th anniversary of the very first iPhone. To celebrate this milestone, Apple is reportedly designing a special phone, possibly called the iPhone 20. This phone’s main feature will be a completely new look.
Since 2020, iPhones have had flat sides and a squared-off design. The 20th-anniversary model is expected to move away from this. It will feature curved glass edges on all sides, creating a smooth, pebble-like feel in the hand. This new “all-around curved” design would be a major departure from the current look. This hardware change is also expected to match new software. Apple’s future operating system, perhaps called iOS 26, is rumored to have a “Liquid Glass” look, which would fit perfectly with a phone that has curved glass all around. This anniversary model will be for those who want the most advanced design and a unique piece of Apple history.