While the rumor mill has focused on the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Fold, there is now, for the first time, concrete information about the other two models in the series.
In the fall of 2026, Apple is planning one of its most extensive iPhone launches in years. Four models are expected to be released simultaneously or close together: the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the iPhone Fold, and another model. However, which device will fill the fourth position—the regular iPhone 18 or an iPhone Air 2—has remained unclear. New leaks from the Chinese leaker Fixed Focus Digital now provide the first clues about both devices.
iPhone 18: Design remains virtually unchanged
According to Fixed Focus Digital, the standard iPhone 18 will see hardly any external changes. Aside from a possible minor adjustment to the dimensions, the design is expected to be the same as the iPhone 17 – including the 6.3-inch display.
Particularly noteworthy: The Dynamic Island appears to retain its current size in the iPhone 18. This contradicts an earlier report by leaker Ice Universe, who had predicted a smaller Dynamic Island for all iPhone 18 models. Instead, it now strongly suggests that the smaller Dynamic Island will be reserved for the Pro models.
It's not unusual for Apple to maintain design continuity with its base iPhone. In the past, the company has often retained a successful design across several generations. The real innovations in the iPhone 18 are likely to be found under the hood – most notably the A20 chip manufactured using a 2-nanometer process.
However, there is a peculiarity regarding the timing: According to reports, the regular iPhone 18 will not be released in September 2026, but rather in early 2027. Apple is thus pursuing a new strategy in which Pro models and special forms like the iPhone Fold launch in the fall, while the standard model follows later.
iPhone Air 2: Routine update expected in autumn
There has been disagreement among sources regarding the iPhone Air 2 for months. The Information and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported at the end of 2025 that Apple might postpone the device until spring 2027 – partly to integrate a second rear camera.
Fixed Focus Digital has consistently contradicted this for several months. In his latest post, he reaffirms that the iPhone Air 2 will be released as planned in fall 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Fold. He describes the update as a regular product cycle without major innovations – no second camera lens, no redesigned look.
This would mean that the improvements are limited to the A20 Pro chip and internal optimizations. For a supply chain leaker like Fixed Focus Digital, it's plausible to be better informed about the actual production status than analysts who tend to focus on strategic planning.
If the iPhone Air 2 actually comes out in the fall, Apple would have four new models for the launch – but at a higher price level overall than usual, since the cheaper standard iPhone 18 will follow later.
The iPhone lineup in fall 2026
Recent leaks paint a clear picture of Apple's fall strategy: The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max form the core of the lineup, featuring a smaller Dynamic Island, an A20 Pro chip, and an improved camera. The iPhone Fold, as a foldable device, marks a completely new category. The iPhone Air 2 complements the lineup as a slimmer, lighter option. And the regular iPhone 18 will follow several months later.
Whether this plan succeeds will become clear in the coming months. WWDC in June should provide the first official clues – at the latest through iOS 27 and the adjustments it contains for new hardware. (Image: Shutterstock / Wongsakorn 2468)
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