Apple is preparing one of its most ambitious iPhone product cycles, with plans to launch at least five new iPhone models between the second half of 2026 and the first half of 2027, while expanding production of its first foldable iPhone and exploring the use of Chinese-made memory chips for devices sold in China. According to Nikkei Asia, as reported by Reuters, the strategy is designed to strengthen Apple’s position in the premium smartphone market amid rising component costs and intensifying competition from rivals including Samsung Electronics and Huawei Technologies.
The report said Apple has instructed suppliers to prepare production capacity for approximately 10 million foldable iPhones, up from an earlier target of 7 million to 8 million units, signalling increased confidence in demand for the company’s first foldable device. Apple has also reportedly secured components for around 80 million smartphones scheduled for launch in the second half of 2026, with total iPhone production expected to exceed 220 million units next year. At the same time, Bloomberg reported that Apple is in discussions with Chinese memory chip makers ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) and Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) to diversify its supply chain for products destined for the Chinese market as global memory shortages persist.
The expanded product roadmap is expected to include Apple’s long-awaited foldable iPhone alongside premium iPhone 18 Pro models, while the standard iPhone 18 and a refreshed iPhone Air are reportedly planned for release in early 2027. Analysts say Apple’s scale and purchasing power have enabled it to secure critical components more effectively than many competitors, helping shield the company from supply constraints driven by surging demand for AI-related memory chips. The strategy follows recent price increases across several Mac and iPad models as component costs continue to rise.
For Apple, the aggressive rollout reflects a broader effort to refresh its flagship smartphone lineup while defending market share in an increasingly competitive premium handset segment. Industry observers say a successful foldable iPhone launch, combined with a more diversified supply chain, could reinforce Apple’s leadership in the global smartphone market while reshaping consumer expectations ahead of the iPhone’s 20th anniversary in 2027.
