Apple to launch 3-year plan for iPhone redesign
This year might be a boring release, but it could lay the groundwork for the future of iPhones.
It appears as though planning has begun for the next generation of iPhones. Mark Gurman, in his newsletter this weekend, revealed that Apple is officially planning for a redesign of the iPhone lineup, a change that has not arrived in over 5 years.
This redesign is expected to blend the design elements of iOS 26's Liquid Glass with the physical hardware found in Apple's iPhones. This includes the much-rumored iPhone Fold expected to launch in 2026.
While we obviously don't know much on the iPhone Fold, we do know that Apple will want to design it their way and not necessarily copy from other companies like Samsung and Google. These other companies have been making foldables for nearly half a decade, so Apple's late start to the category will immediately show what they are going after.
The fact that Apple is making a late start shows a trend where Apple isn't necessarily the first to launch a new kind of product or kick-off a trend. They will often wait until the product category is matured enough for them to do it the Apple way.
This has clearly made them complacent with their spot on top with iPhones (at least in the US). There hasn't really been a major category shift or trend to jump on in a while. This has led the iPhone to stay the same for so many years. They haven't felt the need to redesign the iPhone because they simply don't need to. Users have proved time and time again that they will buy an iPhone quite simply because it is an iPhone.
However, now that Google, Samsung, and others have been getting closer to Apple in the race for the top spot (especially with AI), Apple is clearly finding that they need to up their game.
Plus, it is getting closer and closer to the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, and they know if they keep the iPhone this similar to the 10th anniversary iPhone (iPhone X), it won't create the best image.
Sources say that this iPhone will be curved and all-glass, but who knows what Apple could do with it. We will have to see what Apple does soon.
