A landmark report sends shockwaves through the tech industry. Apple is currently in the midst of “the biggest set of iPhone revamps in the product’s history.” This isn’t just a minor iterative cycle; it is a multi-year engineering blitz overseen by Apple’s hardware chief, John Ternus, designed to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary in 2026 and the iPhone’s 20th anniversary in 2027.
The report outlines a future where the iPhone form factor undergoes its most radical transformation since the transition from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone X.
The “revamp” is a two-act play. Act One arrives in September 2026 with the debut of the iPhone Fold. After nearly a decade of internal prototyping, Apple is finally ready to enter the foldable market. This device is described as a “book-style” foldable, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series but with a distinctly Apple finish. It is expected to feature a 7.7-inch internal display that, when unfolded, essentially serves as a pocketable iPad mini.
Act Two is slated for 2027: the 20th-anniversary iPhone. While the Fold targets the “super-premium” productivity market, the 20th-anniversary model is Apple’s attempt to achieve the “perfect slab.” Gurman reports this device will feature a truly edge-to-edge design with a curved glass enclosure that wraps around the sides of the device. To achieve this, Apple is reportedly successfully testing under-display camera (UDC) technology that eliminates the need for any cutouts, notches, or islands, creating a seamless “window” of glass.
The September Split: A New Launch Strategy for 2026
Perhaps the most surprising part of the report is the confirmation of a major shift in Apple’s launch strategy. Starting in 2026, Apple will reportedly split the iPhone 18 lineup into two distinct release windows.
In September 2026, Apple will focus exclusively on its “power” and “halo” products: the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the iPhone Fold. By removing the standard models from the fall event, Apple hopes to keep the spotlight on its most expensive and innovative hardware, ensuring that the high starting prices (rumored to be $1,999 for the Fold) don’t get overshadowed by budget-friendly alternatives. The standard iPhone 18 and a new iPhone 18e will follow in Spring 2027, effectively creating a bi-annual upgrade cycle that keeps Apple in the news year-round.
Under the Hood: 2nm Silicon and the In-House Modem
Driving these massive design changes is a generational leap in silicon. All 2026 flagship models will be powered by the A20 Pro chip, built on TSMC’s 2-nanometer process. This chip is rumored to use a new “Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module” (WMCM) packaging, which integrates 12GB of LPDDR6 RAM directly into the SoC package. This isn’t just for speed; it’s a mechanical necessity to support the massive on-device AI models coming with iOS 27.
Furthermore, 2026 marks the year Apple finally ditches Qualcomm in its flagship line. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Fold are expected to debut the C2 modem, Apple’s second-generation in-house cellular chip. The C2 is reportedly optimized for better thermal efficiency, a critical factor for the thin, foldable chassis and will offer full 5G satellite internet access, moving beyond simple emergency messaging.
Reportd places a heavy emphasis on John Ternus, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering. Gurman notes that Ternus is not just managing these projects; he is the architect of this entire “revamp” era.
As Tim Cook approaches a potential retirement window in the late 2020s, Ternus is increasingly viewed as the “product guy” heir apparent. By successfully launching the most complex iPhone in history (the Fold) and the most aesthetically perfect one (the 20th-anniversary model), Ternus is effectively building his own legacy. His focus on “longevity through engineering” making devices thinner and more durable simultaneously is the North Star for the iPhone 18 series.
Between the $599 MacBook Neo released earlier this month and the looming “super-cycle” described by Gurman, Apple is positioning 2026 as its most aggressive year since the launch of the original iPhone. Whether consumers are ready for a $2,000 foldable or a split launch schedule remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the iPhone is about to look very different.
