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The iPhone’s ‘boring’ era is almost over with three big launches coming

Apple makes the iPhone better every single year. But for a long time now, new models have been a bit “boring” compared to the product’s early days of innovation. According to rumors about what’s coming next, however, the iPhone’s “boring era” is ending this fall and staying gone for a while yet.

Next three iPhone launches will include innovative new models

When was the last time Apple launched a new iPhone model that turned heads?

Sure, every year brings certain exciting features to the iPhone. But what about a model that truly set itself apart with a fresh design or innovation?

It’s been a while.

At a glance, it would be pretty hard to tell apart the flagship iPhone 16 Pro Max from similar models released in the last few years.

But fortunately, big changes are coming soon.

Starting this fall, and continuing through the next year or two, Apple has three exciting new iPhone models coming:

  • iPhone 17 Air
  • iPhone Fold
  • and an iPhone Pro ‘20th anniversary’ model

The end of boring flagship iPhones

Folding iPhone

iPhone 17 Air will boast a futuristic, ultra-thin design that’s significantly slimmer than current models and has a unique screen size too.

Next year’s iPhone Fold will offer an iPhone and iPad experience in a single product you can carry around in your pocket.

Then either in 2026 or 2027, Mark Gurman says Apple is preparing a “bold new Pro model” for the iPhone’s 20th anniversary. Details are scarce other than it making “more extensive use of glass.”

These three big launches make clear that the iPhone’s “boring” era is over.

Apple will still launch other models, of course, that come with fewer changes.

Top comment by autigers1970

Liked by 16 people

I do not understand the fascination with more glass. It's the most fragile part of the entire thing and necessitates all sorts of extra protection in the form of sturdy cases, screen protectors and accident insurance. Can we work on making the thing more rugged so such things aren't so necessary?

View all comments

But it’s been a while since the flagship new models have actually screamed “new” outside of minor color and material variations.

Starting with the iPhone 17 Air in just a few months, bold new designs will become an annual tradition—at least for the next couple years.

It’s no wonder that Apple’s hardware head, John Ternus, said upcoming iPhone models would be the “most ambitious in the product’s history.”

Are you excited about Apple’s upcoming new iPhone models? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.

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Avatar for Ryan Christoffel Ryan Christoffel

Ryan got his start in journalism as an Editor at MacStories, where he worked for four years covering Apple news, writing app reviews, and more. For two years he co-hosted the Adapt podcast on Relay FM, which focused entirely on the iPad. As a result, it should come as no surprise that his favorite Apple device is the iPad Pro.