Whether users are considering buying an iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone Duo, or simply holding on to their current devices, there are plenty of reasons to watch what Apple has planned for next year.

2027 is shaping up to be a milestone year for the iPhone. Apple is expected to continue refining the iPhone 18 lineup through a staggered release schedule while introducing a new flagship in the fall to celebrate 20 years since the original iPhone debuted.

iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2 expected in spring 2027

One of the biggest changes could be Apple's decision to launch its standard iPhone models in the spring rather than alongside its premium versions in the fall, as it has traditionally done.

Details about the iPhone 18's upgrades remain limited, but one notable rumor suggests that Apple will increase its RAM capacity.

The company could also improve thermal management and introduce its in-house C2 modem to enhance connectivity and efficiency.

The iPhone 18's design may be adjusted to bring it more closely in line with the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro, although the extent of those changes remains unclear.

On the performance front, the device is expected to feature Apple's next-generation A20 chip.

Its starting price could remain at $899, matching the iPhone 17's price following an increase from $799 last month.

If these reports prove accurate, the iPhone 18 could remain an attractive option for users seeking next-generation hardware without paying extra for a Pro model.

iPhone 18e may receive little more than a chip upgrade

Apple is also rumored to be preparing the iPhone 18e for release alongside the standard iPhone 18, targeting customers looking for a more affordable option.

The device's most significant upgrade may simply be a processor change from the A19 to the A20 chip.

Few other improvements have emerged in current reports.

Earlier leaks suggested that Apple intended to share numerous components between the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e.

However, it remains unclear how this approach might affect their specifications, designs and overall differences.

If Apple retains most of the existing hardware and focuses primarily on the processor, the iPhone 18e could appeal to buyers who prioritize reliable performance, long-term software support and a lower price than flagship models.

iPhone Air 2 could address its predecessor's biggest weakness

Among the iPhones expected in spring 2027, the iPhone Air 2 could be the most interesting.

Following a lukewarm response to the first-generation iPhone Air, Apple has reportedly reconsidered its design and decided to add an ultrawide camera.

The addition is believed to be one reason the iPhone Air 2 was unable to launch alongside last month's new iPhone models.

An ultrawide camera may not be essential for every smartphone user, but a premium phone with only one rear camera can appear less capable than its rivals, even when its main camera produces excellent images.

Adding a second camera could therefore make the iPhone Air 2 more commercially appealing while giving users greater flexibility when photographing landscapes, architecture and groups of people.

Beyond photography, the iPhone Air 2 may feature a smaller Dynamic Island, similar to the iPhone 18 Pro.

Apple is also expected to replace the C1X modem with the newer C2, further advancing its internally developed connectivity technology.

Battery capacity could increase to approximately 3,500 mAh, nearly 10% higher than that of the original iPhone Air.

If these upgrades materialize, the second-generation Air could address several shortcomings of its predecessor, particularly camera versatility and battery life.

Fall 2027: A radically redesigned iPhone for Apple's 20th anniversary

The iPhone's 20th anniversary could bring one of the biggest design changes in the product's history.

The device is widely referred to in rumors as the iPhone 20 Pro, although Apple has not confirmed its official name.

Reports suggest a more glass-focused design, significantly thinner display bezels and a departure from the flat-edged appearance introduced with the iPhone 12.

Another major change could involve the Dynamic Island.

Apple is rumored to be working on a much smaller display cutout by combining a punch-hole selfie camera with an under-display Face ID system.

If successful, this could expand the usable screen area and create a more seamless display than current iPhones offer.

However, questions remain about whether Apple can successfully introduce such a design in a Pro-level device.

Changes to the phone's structure and materials could complicate thermal management, particularly when a high-performance processor is operating under sustained workloads.

On the other hand, the iPhone Duo has reportedly demonstrated relatively effective thermal control despite not using a unibody aluminum structure.

That could ease some concerns about the anniversary iPhone's heat dissipation, although its real-world performance cannot be assessed until the finished product becomes available.

For users considering an iPhone 18 Pro upgrade but who do not urgently need a new phone, the anniversary model could be worth waiting for, particularly if the rumored design overhaul becomes reality.

iPhone Duo 2 could arrive with Apple's A21 Pro chip

Alongside the 20th-anniversary iPhone, Apple is expected to continue developing its foldable smartphone lineup with a successor to the iPhone Duo in fall 2027.

There have been relatively few specific leaks about the iPhone Duo 2 so far.

However, Apple could improve its camera system and potentially introduce Face ID if the technology is absent from the first-generation model.

A more predictable upgrade would be a new Apple Silicon processor.

The iPhone Duo 2 could feature the A21 Pro chip, replacing the processor used in its predecessor.

Although information remains scarce, Apple's reported plans for a second-generation foldable suggest that the company may view foldable iPhones as a long-term product category rather than a short-lived experiment.

Hai Phong