IPhone 18 Lineup Expands to Six Models in 2026, Adds Fold Phone

Apple is planning to release six iPhone models across 2026, according to leaks from tipster Digital Chat Station. If accurate, that would be the largest number of new phones the company has attempted in a single calendar year.

The first wave is expected to arrive by March and includes three devices. The iPhone 18 would come with a 6.3-inch 120Hz display, while a larger iPhone Air 2 with a 6.55-inch screen would sit alongside it. Rounding out the spring lineup is a budget option called the iPhone 18e, carrying a 6.12-inch screen and a standard 60Hz panel to keep costs down, though it may finally adopt the Dynamic Island cutout.

The Air 2 carries some weight beyond its own sales numbers. Reports suggest Apple is watching closely to see how the model performs commercially before committing further, and the iPhone Air 3 has not yet entered the prototype stage, with its fate tied to how well the Air 2 lands with buyers after its expected spring debut.

Fall lineup adds new categories

The September release is where the lineup gets more unusual. The leak points to a top-tier iPhone Ultra model joining the standard Pro devices, with the Pro line also receiving a significant physical redesign to mark twenty years since the original iPhone launched. For anyone trying to track how old their current device is and whether an upgrade makes sense, a twentieth-anniversary redesign is a reasonable reason to wait.

The folding phone is the detail that stands out most. Digital Chat Station says Apple is testing molds for an iPhone Fold, and durability testing on the hinge mechanism points to specs including a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover screen. Folding iPhones have been rumored for years, but appearing alongside a confirmed fall lineup in a single leak suggests the hardware is moving past the concept phase.