Apple’s Big iPhone Roadmap Tipped: Slimmer Air in 2025, Foldable in 2026, Full Redesign in 2027

As Apple gears up for the iPhone 17 launch next month, there’s already chatter about what’s coming next. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s preparing some major shifts over the next three years—from a thinner “iPhone Air” to its first foldable iPhone in 2026. And if that wasn’t enough, 2027 could bring the most dramatic redesign we’ve seen in years.

iPhone Air to Replace the Plus Model

The first step in Apple’s roadmap is the iPhone Air, which will replace the Plus-sized model in the lineup. Apple’s aiming for a super-thin frame that rivals Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge. What makes the Air interesting is its use of Apple’s own modem chip, the C1, first seen in the iPhone 16e. It’s expected to arrive this September alongside the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max.

Check out our iPhone 17 rumor roundup for all the developments.

Apple’s Foldable Could Finally Arrive in 2026

The bigger story, though, is Apple’s foldable. Rumored for years, it could finally hit shelves in 2026. Gurman says the device—possibly called the iPhone Fold or iPhone Flip—will open like a book, with a larger inner display, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold series. Unlike Motorola’s Razr, it won’t go with a clamshell design.

Apple’s first foldable will reportedly include four cameras: one on the front, one inside, and two on the back. That setup would make it functional in both folded and unfolded modes. But there are trade-offs. Face ID may not make the cut, with Apple instead turning back to Touch ID.

The decision likely comes down to size constraints, as fitting the TrueDepth camera system into such a thin body would be a challenge.

How Thin Will It Be?

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the foldable will measure around 9 to 9.5mm when closed, and just under 5mm when opened. Those dimensions would make it one of the slimmest foldables yet. The device will also skip the SIM card slot, relying solely on Apple’s in-house modem.

Price Will Decide Its Fate

The cost could be the deciding factor. Most foldables already start above $1,000, and Apple’s isn’t likely to buck that trend. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7 SE starts at $899, but premium foldables often touch $2,000. Gurman says Apple’s first foldable will come in black and white only, with suppliers preparing for mass production in early 2026.

A Redesign for the iPhone’s 20th Anniversary

In 2027, Apple plans to celebrate the iPhone’s 20th birthday with a full design overhaul. The squared-off corners, first introduced in 2020, will reportedly give way to curved glass edges.

This lines up with the new “Liquid Glass” interface of iOS 26, which adds rounded elements and translucent layers for a more fluid look.

The Bottom Line

2025 may not feel like a revolution for iPhone users, but it looks like Apple’s laying the foundation for major changes. A thinner iPhone Air, a long-awaited foldable, and a 20th anniversary redesign could reshape the iPhone lineup in the years ahead.

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