Mark Gurman's weekly Bloomberg Power On newsletter provides insights into Apple's upcoming innovations, specifically the expected yearly hardware updates for the iPhone 16e starting in 2026, paralleling the releases of Apple's more premium devices. However, amidst the detailed predictions, Gurman has hinted at an intriguing and undefined new iPhone design scheduled for release in 2026, which could mark a significant departure from existing models.
A Future of Innovation on the Horizon
While the iPhone 16e stands apart from the 2022's third-gen iPhone SE, it's challenging to regard it as a radical step forward in mobile innovation. Nonetheless, Apple is anticipated to reveal a groundbreaking foldable iPhone within the next couple of years, and now, whispers about "another new iPhone design" have emerged, slated for a 2026 unveiling.
Apple's first Galaxy Z Fold alternative may not be the only innovative iPhone anticipated for 2026. | Image Credit -- PhoneArena
This new design is reportedly distinct from the highly anticipated "iPhone Fold", and it's unclear if it will relate to the super-slim iPhone 17 Air expected in fall 2025, intended to rival Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge. It appears to be a completely separate concept, though details remain scarce on what form this "new iPhone design" will take. What can be inferred, based on Gurman's insights, is that it is unlikely to be a budget counterpart to the existing iPhone SE 3.
Given the anticipation surrounding foldable phones, it seems improbable that Apple would release two distinctly different foldable models in the same year. While there have been rumors about a rollable iPhone, substantial evidence supporting its readiness for market remains lacking. Thus, the nature of this "new iPhone design" remains ambiguous, as Gurman's phrasing leaves room for interpretation, possibly suggesting only aesthetic changes in models like the forthcoming iPhone 18 compared to the iPhone 17.
Focus Shifting Toward the iPhone Fold
While it is uncertain if the iPhone 17e will grace the market in 2026 before the potential unveiling of the iPhone 18e in 2027, insiders are increasingly inclined to confirm that a foldable iPhone, dubbed the iPhone Fold, is actively under development with a probable release next year.
An iPhone 16e sequel might prove to be the least exciting new Apple product in 2026. | Image Credit -- Apple
Gurman’s recent Bloomberg report indicates that the iPhone Fold design is still in a preliminary stage, so speculation about its exact features may be premature. However, it remains exciting to envision how a potential competitor to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold could materialize, possibly featuring a seamless design, 7.7-inch primary display, and 5.5-inch cover screen as recently rumored.
Whatever form the "new iPhone design" takes for 2026, it’s likely to be one of Apple’s most captivating upcoming products.
