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Apple is apparently preparing for a series of major design changes to the iPhone. According to a report from Asia, the company plans to launch a new iPhone model with a distinctive design every year for the next few years. The goal is to significantly revitalize the product line while highlighting technological innovations.
The iPhone has reinvented itself repeatedly since its launch in 2007. While previous updates mostly brought incremental improvements, a major shift is now on the horizon. A source on the Korean platform Naver – the account "yeux1122" – published information based on trend and component research firms. This information suggests that Apple plans to introduce several entirely new iPhone formats in the coming years. Plans range from the first foldable iPhone to an anniversary model with no visible bezels.
2026: The first foldable iPhone
Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone in 2026. According to the report, the device will have a design similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, meaning it will fold like a book. It will use a flexible LTPO+ OLED display that can be unfolded to the size of an iPad mini.
To reduce the typical crease in the center of the screen, Apple reportedly uses a structured glass center frame. Additionally, a color filter-on-encapsulation layer is used in conjunction with a circular polarization module. This combination is said to provide improved color purity and greater light transmission.
The foldable iPhone could also be the first to feature cameras installed under the display. This would eliminate the need for a cutout or hole in the screen. With this model, Apple wants to demonstrate that technical innovation and a seamless user experience can be combined. The device should feel like a hybrid of an iPhone and an iPad—compact yet flexible.
2027: Anniversary model with borderless design
For the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, Apple is planning a model with a completely new design approach. The display will curve across all four edges of the device, virtually eliminating the bezel. The device will have a flat, so-called "candy bar" shape reminiscent of classic smartphones, but with a more modern look thanks to the curved OLED surface.
A crater-shaped light diffusion layer ensures even screen brightness. This model will also be the first to feature Face ID, a camera, and other sensors completely hidden beneath the display. None of them are visible anymore.
According to the report, Apple wants to position the anniversary model as a symbol of the iPhone design of the future - a device that looks so clear and smooth as if it were made of just one piece of glass.
2028: Clamshell iPhone with vertical folding mechanism
A year later, in 2028, another foldable model is expected, this time in a clamshell design. The device folds vertically, similar to previous flip phones, but is significantly more compact and lighter. It features rounded edges around the hinge to make the fold look more natural and barely noticeable when folded.
On the outside is an additional display that shows notifications, supports AI-powered shortcuts, and can display simple information. The main display uses a clear organic cathode layer combined with a color filter-on-encapsulation stack. This technology ensures more vibrant colors and greater transparency, allowing more light to pass through.
With this model, Apple apparently aims to offer a device that combines technological sophistication with fashionable design. The focus is on a lightweight, elegant, and stylish appearance. According to the report, it could appeal particularly to female users.
Apple's overall plan
With the iPhone Air, introduced this year, Apple appears to have already laid the foundation for this new strategy. According to information from "yeux1122," the company plans to introduce a new iPhone design every year for the next three years. This strategy is consistent with a rumor spread in May by Weibo leaker "Instant Digital." He also reported that Apple intends to implement significant design changes to its iPhone models every year in the future.
The Naver account to which the current information refers has already published relevant details in the past – such as the color options of the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air, battery specifications, and the internal structure of the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Apple focuses on diversity and innovation in iPhone design
Apple is entering a period of intensive design development. Three new iPhone concepts are planned for 2026 and 2028, each with a different focus: a foldable iPhone with tablet-like characteristics, a bezel-less anniversary model, and a fashionable clamshell device. With these, Apple aims to renew the iPhone lineup while simultaneously setting new standards in design and technology. If these reports prove true, the iPhone will experience one of the most exciting developments in the smartphone market in the coming years, not only technically but also visually. (Image: Shutterstock / 4kclips)
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