Apple is getting ready to make some big changes to the iPhone over the next three years. According to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company has planned a complete refresh of its most popular product.
Apple’s big iPhone plan is set to roll out over the next three years. It will start in 2025 with the launch of the slimmer iPhone 17 Air. In 2026, the company is expected to introduce its first-ever foldable iPhone. Finally, in 2027, the refresh will reach its highlight with the debut of the curved-glass iPhone 20.
The first step in this plan is the iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to replace the Plus version of the iPhone. This new Air model will be slimmer and lighter than the regular iPhone. To achieve this thinner design, Apple is said to be making a few compromises. The phone may have a smaller battery, which means shorter battery life compared to other models. Apple is also removing the physical SIM card slot and will rely only on eSIM.
Another major change is that the iPhone 17 Air will use Apple’s own modem chip for the first time instead of Qualcomm’s modem. Reports also suggest that Apple will release a new kind of bumper case for the device, which protects only the edges without covering the back, something Apple had first introduced with the iPhone 4 in 2010.
In 2026, Apple is expected to take the next step by launching its first foldable iPhone. This device, known internally as V68, will have a book-style design that folds open to become a small tablet. The foldable iPhone is reported to come with four cameras: one on the outside front display, one inside on the larger screen, and two on the back.
Instead of Face ID, this model may bring back Touch ID for unlocking and security. Just like the Air model, the foldable iPhone might also come without a physical SIM slot, relying only on eSIM. With this launch, Apple will enter the growing foldable smartphone market, where companies like Samsung, Huawei, and Google already have strong products.
The biggest change, however, is expected in 2027. That year marks the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, and Apple is planning to make the launch truly special. The company is expected to skip the iPhone 19 and directly release the iPhone 20 to mark the milestone.
This model will come with a completely new look, featuring a curved-glass design that will match with a new “Liquid Glass” style in iOS 26. Details about the hardware are still limited, but sources claim this will be Apple’s boldest iPhone redesign in more than a decade.
All of these changes are important because the iPhone has looked very similar since the launch of the iPhone X in 2017. With smartphone sales slowing down globally and other brands offering new designs and features, Apple seems to be planning a fresh approach to excite customers again. The slimmer iPhone 17 Air this year, the foldable iPhone in 2026, and the futuristic iPhone 20 in 2027 together show how Apple wants to reshape the iPhone lineup for the future.
If the reports turn out to be accurate, the next three years could mark a dramatic shift in Apple’s smartphone journey. What begins with a lighter iPhone this September might soon lead to the company’s first foldable phone and then a historic redesign for the 20th anniversary. For customers, this could mean some of the most exciting changes to the iPhone in a long time.