Apple could start releasing iPhones twice a year
Apple is reportedly making a change after more than a decade of debuting the latest iPhones in the fall.
The company is reportedly considering renewing the service twice a year, giving customers two different renewal periods instead of just one. According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, the tech giant could start splitting its iPhone launches as early as 2026. The plan would see high-end models introduced in the fall, while standard and cheaper models would be introduced in the spring.
Apple will begin to change the schedule starting with the release of the iPhone 18. The company plans to switch to a twice-yearly release schedule, with three high-end models – the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and rumored iPhone Fold – set for the fall of 2026 while the iPhone 18 and cheaper iPhone 18e will launch in spring 2027.
Separating releases allows flagship models to take center stage without competing for attention, while the spring window gives space for core devices to operate independently.
This gradual rollout could help Apple navigate an increasingly competitive landscape. Releasing models in two phases per year gives the company the opportunity to respond more quickly to competitors, update production forecasts and smooth out sales cycles that traditionally peak in the fall before tapering off.
In terms of supply chain, this will bring potential operational benefits: spreading production over a longer period could relieve pressure at the end of the year and reduce problems that arise when multiple units are being produced simultaneously.
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