Apple Reportedly Set to Launch Three New iPhone Designs
▼ Summary
– Apple plans to launch a new iPhone model every year, starting with a foldable book-style iPhone in 2026 featuring an iPad mini-sized display.
– The 2026 foldable iPhone will use structural glass and display technologies to minimize the crease and may include under-display Face ID and camera.
– In 2027, Apple will release a 20th anniversary iPhone with zero bezels, featuring a display that wraps around the edges and fully under-display sensors.
– A clamshell-style vertical foldable iPhone is planned for 2028, designed with a less noticeable crease and an external display for notifications and AI shortcuts.
– These plans are based on reports from a Naver blog source that has previously shared accurate iPhone details, corroborating other rumors about annual form factor updates.
Apple appears poised to shake up the smartphone market with a series of ambitious new iPhone designs planned for the next several years. According to a report originating from a Korean blog, the company will introduce a different groundbreaking model annually, starting with a long-awaited foldable device.
The blog “yeux1122,” posted on the Naver platform, shared details citing domestic research firms. The information suggests Apple will launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026. This model is expected to feature a book-style design, similar to competitors, and will utilize a flexible LTPO+ OLED screen that opens up to a size comparable to an iPad mini. To address the common issue of a visible crease, Apple is reportedly developing a structural glass mid-frame. Additional display enhancements, including a color filter-on-encapsulation layer and a circular polarizer, aim to boost color purity and light transmission. This device might also be the first to feature under-display Face ID and an under-display front camera, effectively merging an iPad-like experience with the portability of an iPhone.
Following this, 2027 is expected to see the debut of a special 20th-anniversary iPhone. This model is rumored to have virtually “zero” bezels, creating a completely seamless front. It will supposedly have a flat, candybar-like shape with the OLED display curving around all four edges of the device. A crater-shaped light diffusion layer within the screen is intended to ensure uniform brightness across the entire surface. With this anniversary model, Apple is said to be fully implementing Under-Display Integrated Recognition. This means the Face ID system, front-facing camera, and other sensors would be completely hidden beneath the display, making them invisible to the user. The company’s goal with this device is reportedly to create an iconic visual milestone, placing a strong emphasis on revolutionary design.
For 2028, Apple is allegedly planning a clamshell-style vertical foldable iPhone. This model is designed to be compact and lightweight, with curves on all four edges near the hinge to help the fold blend more naturally into the body. This design choice aims to make the crease less noticeable both visually and to the touch. An external display will handle notifications, AI-powered Shortcuts, and quick information capture. The internal screen may use a Clear Organic Cathode layer combined with a Color Filter-On-Encapsulation stack, a technology that promises cleaner colors and higher transparency for more efficient light passage. This particular model is viewed internally as a light luxury, fashion-oriented device that could appeal strongly to a female demographic.
This multi-year roadmap indicates a clear strategy to revitalize the iPhone lineup with successive new form factors. The introduction of the iPhone Air this year seems to be just the beginning of this aggressive refresh cycle. The Naver source behind this latest information has a credible track record, having previously shared accurate details about the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air’s color options, battery design, and the internal layout of the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
(Source: Mac Rumors)
