Apple is reportedly preparing the biggest expansion of its iPhone lineup to mark the smartphone's 20th anniversary in 2027, with industry insiders suggesting the company could introduce as many as six new models over the course of the year.

The milestone would come two decades after the original iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs in 2007 and is widely expected to coincide with the most significant overhaul of Apple's smartphone portfolio to date.

A new launch strategy

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A concept image shows the rumored iPhone 20 Pro Max with a full-screen design expected for Apple's 20th anniversary lineup. Image: AppleTrack.

According to multiple industry reports, Apple is preparing to abandon its long-standing practice of unveiling its entire iPhone lineup every September.

Instead, the company is expected to split launches into two annual release windows, with premium models arriving in the fall and standard models released early the following year.

If the strategy begins with the 2026-2027 product cycle, the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple's first foldable iPhone Ultra would debut in September 2026.

Early in 2027, Apple would then introduce the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and the second-generation iPhone Air.

The staggered schedule would help Apple maintain consumer interest throughout the year while easing pressure on manufacturing and supply chains.

A symbolic iPhone 20

Attention is expected to shift again in September 2027, when Apple traditionally holds its annual flagship iPhone event.

Some analysts believe the company could skip the iPhone 19 branding altogether and instead introduce the iPhone 20 to commemorate the device's 20th anniversary, following a strategy similar to other technology companies that have renamed products to mark major milestones.

If that happens, Apple could unveil the iPhone 20 Pro, iPhone 20 Pro Max, and a second-generation iPhone Ultra foldable smartphone.

The standard iPhone 20, iPhone 20e, and iPhone Air 3 would then likely arrive in early 2028 under the company's rumored two-stage release schedule.

Six new iPhones in one year

Combining the two launch windows would result in six new iPhone models arriving during 2027.

The year would begin with the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2, followed later by the iPhone 20 Pro, iPhone 20 Pro Max, and iPhone Ultra 2.

If accurate, this would represent the largest number of iPhone models Apple has ever introduced within a single calendar year, reflecting an effort to expand its offerings across mainstream, premium and foldable smartphone segments.

Display upgrades rumored

Well-known leaker Digital Chat Station recently shared additional details about Apple's expected 2027 lineup on Weibo, although the source continues to refer to the anniversary models as the iPhone 19 series.

According to the leak, the iPhone Air 2 could feature a 6.55-inch LTPO OLED display, emphasizing an ultra-thin design while retaining premium display technology.

The iPhone 18 is expected to adopt a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED screen with adaptive refresh rates for improved power efficiency.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 18e is rumored to feature a 6.12-inch OLED display, making it the smallest device in the lineup.

However, multiple reports suggest Apple may continue limiting the 18e to a 60Hz refresh rate, reserving its 120Hz ProMotion display technology for higher-end models.

If confirmed, the 18e would remain Apple's entry-level option, although the absence of a high-refresh-rate display could disappoint some buyers.

Together with Apple's first foldable iPhone and a possible shift to two annual launch events, the expanded lineup could mark the beginning of a new chapter for the iPhone as it enters its third decade.

Hai Phong