IPhone 17e, iPhone 18 Pro, iOS 27, iPhone Fold… What are Apple’s secrets for 2026?

Apple is preparing to significantly transform its smartphone world in 2026, a year that the Californian brand aims to mark with an innovative and ambitious footprint. While the iPhone continues to be the central pillar of its revenues, especially with more than half of the annual income generated by this range, Apple no longer limits itself to simple adjustments. On the agenda, a deployment spread throughout the year blending hardware innovations, major software advancements, and the long-awaited arrival of a foldable smartphone. From the redesign of Siri to the presentation of a high-end-priced iPhone Fold, Apple’s strategy is shaping up as a real battle plan aimed at extending user attention and retaining its followers with remarkable innovations.

The 2026 calendar thus looks very busy, with the iPhone 17e expected as early as spring, a new generation of iPhone 18 Pro in autumn, and, above all, an iPhone Fold that comes to shake up the mobile technology segment. This year will also highlight the major iOS 27 update that promises to bring stability and AI-focused new features. These changes reveal a clear ambition from Apple: to remain at the top of the market while showing a willingness to experiment with new forms and uses, notably through the highly anticipated foldable smartphone by the community. Between powerful hardware, redesigned aesthetics, and enhanced software experience, Apple signs a 2026 roadmap full of promises and stakes.

Apple Innovations 2026: a hardware power boost with the iPhone 17e

The year 2026 begins under the sign of caution but also continuity with the expected launch of the iPhone 17e in spring. This model, mainly positioned as an evolution of the iPhone 16e, does not overturn the formula but brings a few tweaks that set the bar even higher in terms of user experience. With the integration of the A19 chip, Apple paves the way for better energy management while maintaining solid performance. This technical evolution is accompanied by an interesting refresh on the front camera, which now incorporates Center Stage technology, allowing improved automatic framing during video calls — a real plus in a context where videoconferencing remains very present.

At the same time, the iPhone 17e should integrate the Dynamic Island replacing the notch, an innovation that changes how notifications and ongoing commands are interacted with, previously reserved for Pro models. Another notable point, Apple does not yet plan to equip this model with a dual rear camera nor a high refresh rate screen, focusing on simplicity and an attractive price set around 599 dollars. This illustrates Apple’s wish to keep a premium accessibility for its entry-level while offering a coherent and smooth experience.

This intermediate step opens the way for a more ambitious range at the end of the year and confirms that the brand does not abandon the classic segment. The iPhone 17e will therefore be a relevant choice for those seeking essential performance without necessarily wanting all the refinements of the Pro models, thus tracing a perfect balance between innovation, price, and usage. This launch also foreshadows an Apple strategy aimed at maintaining continuous presence in the news and gradually preparing users for the big leap of the foldable smartphone.

iPhone 18 Pro: details and major technical advancements for autumn 2026

The second half of 2026 will be marked by the arrival of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, which promise to bring hardware power to a new level. Apple will retain a design close to the previous generation with a large photo block covering the entire width of the back, an aesthetic boldness that aims to combine ergonomics and photographic performance.

The innovations do not stop at the design. The integration of an A20 Pro chip etched in 2 nm is a major advance that promises unprecedented optimization of raw performance and battery life. This refinement in etching should allow Apple to offer users increased fluidity in the most demanding tasks while limiting energy consumption — also essential in a context of growing environmental awareness.

But it is especially photography that will be at the heart of the novelties. A variable aperture optical system makes its appearance, a process that allows precise adaptation of light intake depending on conditions, thus offering better management of contrast and details in the image. This technology, still rare on smartphones, could revolutionize how users capture scenes, especially in complex environments (low light, dynamic scenes).

Furthermore, Apple is actively working on integrating Face ID under the screen, a delicate technical project but with strong potential for ergonomic and aesthetic improvement. This advancement would eliminate the notch and reduce visual interruptions, making the screen more immersive. If this technology is not expected to be fully present at launch, it could be gradually deployed during software updates.

Here is a summary of the main expected technical features of the iPhone 18 Pro:

Feature	Description	Expected Impact
A20 Pro Chip	2 nm etching, improved performance	Increased power and battery life
Face ID under the screen	Facial recognition without visual interruption	Clean design
Variable aperture camera	Precise control of light	Sharper photos in all conditions
Transparent back glass (rumor)	Innovative aesthetic appearance	Unique on the market

The iPhone Fold: Apple’s ambition for its first foldable smartphone

After years of waiting and speculation, Apple will finally enter the foldable smartphone segment with the iPhone Fold. This model breaks with Apple’s traditional smartphone design by its book format featuring a 7.8-inch internal screen and a 5.5-inch external screen, combining portability and ease of use. The foldable super AMOLED screen will be designed to ensure a seamless experience without visible creases, a technical feat that will be a major asset compared to the first generations of competing smartphones in this market.

However, this innovation comes at a cost—and not a small one: the iPhone Fold could be priced around 2,400 dollars, placing this model in an ultra-premium category. This pricing reflects Apple’s concern to offer a high-end product with exclusive technologies but also uncompromising build quality.

Apple’s foldable smartphone will not only be spectacular in design and screen technology but also in its internal performance. It will have access to the A20 Pro chip and benefit from ecosystem software optimizations, notably iOS adaptation to manage the smooth transition between the two screens and provide perfect usage continuity. These adjustments are essential to establish the iPhone Fold as a technological reference and justify its high price positioning.

This is a real risk-taking step for Apple, which enters a market already occupied for several years by competitors such as Samsung. However, Apple’s reputation in terms of finish, user interface, and ecosystem could allow it to quickly establish itself and attract a new segment of users sensitive to innovation.

iOS 27: major iOS update focused on stability and artificial intelligence

The iOS 27 update, unveiled at WWDC in June, is heralded as a turning point for the Apple experience. After a major visual redesign with iOS 26, this new version places emphasis on stability and performance, reminiscent of the historic macOS Snow Leopard approach. Apple’s objective is clear: optimize the system’s foundations to offer exemplary fluidity across all compatible devices.

However, this approach does not mean a total absence of new features. iOS 27 integrates several smart evolutions, including a personalized health assistant leveraging data collected by Apple sensors and HealthKit. An enhanced smart search will facilitate quick access to content, while the Photos app will benefit from stronger tools for sorting and highlighting images.

Another innovation concerns a new AirPods pairing system, which simplifies and improves connectivity and media management within the Apple ecosystem. This system aims to strengthen interoperability among different devices and further smooth the user experience.

The attention given to integrating artificial intelligence reflects Cupertino’s desire to stay at the forefront in a key field of mobile technologies. iOS 27 thus consolidates Apple Intelligence, notably through the progressive improvements of Siri, which is preparing for a deeper redesign rolled out in several phases.

Siri 2.0: a smarter and more conversational voice assistant in iOS 27

The most ambitious software project this year revolves around Siri’s transformation. Nicknamed Siri 2.0, this new version aims to surpass the current limits of the voice assistant to offer a more natural and relevant interaction. Apple is developing an assistant capable of understanding the context and content displayed on the screen, the user’s personal situation with intelligent use of data such as travel, receipts, or projects.

This new approach will result in a much more proactive and personalized assistant, offering recommendations and actions adapted to the present moment. For example, Siri will be able to suggest canceling a flight in case of reported delay, or automatically prepare a route based on appointments detected in the calendar, illustrating the embedded intelligence’s ability to anticipate needs beyond simple voice commands.

The rollout of Siri 2.0 will be gradual, with initial elements already present in iOS 26.4, but the bulk of the features is expected throughout 2026. This advancement is strategic since Siri remains at the center of Apple’s strategy to build a connected and intelligent ecosystem, consolidating its place among the most advanced smart assistants on the market.

Apple’s 2026 strategy: a pivotal year marked by surprise innovations

Apple’s 2026 roadmap reveals a balanced strategy between continuity and disruption. By spreading its announcements over several waves—from spring with the iPhone 17e to autumn with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Fold—Apple maintains a high level of excitement and visibility while preparing a smooth evolution of mobile technologies.

Note that the classic iPhone 18 might experience a delay, with release postponed to spring 2027. This unconventional schedule reflects a desire to adjust launch cycles to better meet market demands and production capacities. It could thus be that Apple establishes a new rhythm for its smartphones, boosting both innovation and user retention.

This dynamic also relies on increased synergy between hardware and software, with optimizations targeted at performance and connectivity. The integration of AI and new customization tools offers a modernized face to the Apple ecosystem, enhancing its appeal and differentiating its proposition in a highly competitive sector.

• Progressive rollout of innovations throughout 2026
• Focus on software quality and stability with iOS 27
• Launch of the first foldable iPhone with a premium positioning
• Redesign of the Siri voice assistant for more contextual intelligence
• Possibility of a new staggered release cycle for some iPhones

What impact on the foldable smartphone market with the arrival of the iPhone Fold?

Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone segment takes place in a context where this category has already proven itself but remains marginal. Since the first proposals launched several years ago, notably by Samsung with its Galaxy Z Fold range, the market has expanded and matured, but now awaits true democratization.

The iPhone Fold could well play this role of accelerator thanks to Apple’s weight and image. However, the bar is high: its particularly high price could deter some consumers, despite a highly refined technical offering. Deep integration with iOS and quality user experience will nevertheless be strong selling points in this technological showdown.

Analysts anticipate several major developments in foldable smartphone use in the coming years:

1. Progressive adoption in professional environments: the versatility of foldable screens particularly appeals to professionals seeking productivity and mobility.
2. Improvement of screens and durability: innovations in materials allow better resistance to stresses related to folding.
3. Advanced software integration: Apple will be able to offer exclusive features adapting apps to the large internal screen and outer screen.
4. Price segmentation: the iPhone Fold currently targets a premium audience, but more accessible models could emerge in a few years.
5. Influence on competition: Apple’s strategy could encourage other manufacturers to strengthen their offerings in this segment to remain competitive.

Users will therefore have to closely follow market reactions and technical evolutions offered by the iPhone Fold, whose success could define a new chapter in the history of mobile technologies.

Apple Ecosystem 2026: how iOS 27 integration and new devices shape the user experience

Apple does not just present smartphones: its strength also lies in the cohesion of its ecosystem. In 2026, the marriage between iOS 27 and the new iPhones strengthens this symbiosis. Updates like the new AirPods pairing system or improvements to native apps consolidate Apple’s position in daily usage.

The flexibility offered by the foldable smartphone also redefines mobile usage. For example, iOS 27 includes features enabling automatic adaptation of display and interactions depending on whether the user handles the iPhone Fold closed or open. This adaptability underscores Apple’s mastery over the entire technology chain, from the device to its operating system.

These advances also help strengthen user loyalty. Thanks to a smooth and consistent cross-platform experience, it is easier for Apple to consolidate its base but also to attract new followers drawn by premium quality and innovation.

Device	Compatible with iOS 27	Main software innovations
iPhone 17e	Yes	Dynamic Island, Center Stage camera, A19 chip
iPhone 18 Pro	Yes	A20 Pro chip, under-screen Face ID, variable aperture
iPhone Fold	Yes	Foldable screen, multi-screen optimization, adapted iOS