Covering the entire price range market? Analysts predict that Apple will increase the number of iPhone models year by year, reaching six models by 2027.

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To cater to the foldable screen trend and seize more market share, analysts predict that Apple will significantly adjust its iPhone launch strategy. It is expected that by 2027, the number of iPhone models released annually by Apple will increase to six, aiming to cover a wider range of products from entry-level to high-end lines.

This prediction comes from Daishin Securities analyst Park Kang-ho. He points out that the number of iPhone models will increase year by year. After launching four models last year, this year’s lineup is expected to expand to five with the addition of the iPhone 16e. This gradual expansion strategy signals that Apple's future product roadmap will be more diversified.

iPhone Model Growth: Foldable Screens and "Low-end Versions"

Park Kang-ho believes that Apple's product line expansion will be a gradual process. He predicts a product peak in 2027, when Apple may launch six iPhone models simultaneously. This product mix will further segment the market, meeting the needs of different consumers. The flagship iPhone 17 series' “common models” include four models, while this year, due to the launch of the "budget" iPhone 16e,the total reaches five models.

Interestingly, he did not make a specific prediction regarding the total number of models in 2026. 2026 will be a critical year for Apple, as the company plans to launch its first foldable iPhone as part of the flagship lineup that year.

In addition, there are reports that another low-cost model, the iPhone 17e, may debut in early 2026. To accommodate the foldable model and avoid overcrowding the product line, Apple may even suspend the release of the base iPhone 18 in 2026.

However, some market insiders predict that Apple might launch the iPhone 18e and base model iPhone 18 in 2027. This view is also echoed by TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who previously predicted that both models would be released simultaneously. Besides these two, Apple will also launch four flagship models in the latter half of that year, including the successor to the first-generation foldable iPhone.

Strategic Adjustments to Address Android Competition

Park Kang-ho believes that the core motivation behind Apple’s adjustment to its release strategy is to build a comprehensive product matrix to cope with the fierce competition from the Android camp. The market is flooded with many excellent Android smartphone alternatives, prompting Apple to take action.

By launching a complete product line covering entry-level consumers up to users seeking the ultimate experience, and complemented by high-end foldable phones attractive to affluent buyers, Apple aims to expand its customer base and thus raise its total annual shipments.

Analysis points out that Apple already has advantages in its software and hardware ecosystem, and its continued investment in self-developed chips in the future will further enhance competitiveness in terms of performance, battery life, and overall experience, providing support for expanding the product line.

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