It is expected that Apple is going to make one of the most dramatic alterations to the iPhone family in years, cancelling the basic iPhone 18 and instead launching a foldable iPhone as well as a cheaper model called the iPhone 17e. In a report by tech news site Wccftech, the transition is expected to start in 2022 and is seen as an effort by Apple to reduce the complexity of its product offering, as it meets the changing market conditions.
Five iPhone Models Per Year
Today Apple introduces 4 models of iPhones every year including the basic and the flagship iPhone Pro Max. The firm will begin this in the year 2016 by increasing these four iPhones to five iPhone models annually. The modified line-up will feature;
- iPhone 18 Air Public.the cheapest among the iPhone 18 line.
- iPhone 18 Pro the midtier luxury model.
- iPhone 18 Pro Max the top of performance version.
- Foldable iPhone 18 - The first Apple foldable smart phone, should cost 2,000-2,500 dollars.
- iPhone 17e - the cheaper version of the standard iPhone 18 and the lowest-end version of iPhone 18.
The result of such the change is that the standard iPhone 18 will no longer be included in Apple annual cycle of release.
The iPhone 17e: Budget-Friendly but Capable
The entry-level product of Apple, which will be named iPhone 17e, will have a similar positioning to the newly-released iPhone 16e. That said, whereas the iPhone 16e is similarly an iPhone 16, in that its specifications are visibly lower than that of the base-model iPhone 16, it is expected that the iPhone 17e would be a device somewhat on par with specifications of the iPhone 18.
This strategy would help to position the iPhone 17e as a more attractive proposal to the buyers on a tight budget, but still interested in contemporary performance and functions. The device is also projected to be released prior to the annual September conference by Apple which may be at the company Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) or an independent event.
Foldable iPhone 18: Apple’s Entry into the Foldable Market
The most awaited pick in the line-up is the foldable iPhone 18 responsive to Apple joining the foldable smartphone market officially. Although competitors, such as Samsung and Huawei, have been selling foldable devices for several years now, Apple has been more gradual and methodical- probably to get things right: durability, display clarity, compatibility with iOS.
The foldable iPhone 18 will be positioned in the **ultra-premium smartphone category, and is expected to be placed in the** $2000- 2500 range. Industry analysts opine that this model has the potential to find its way in the hands of early adopters, technology fans, and users in the field who need the device to be portable but with large screen real estate.
Why Apple is Changing Its iPhone Strategy
The re-organization of theiPhone lineup by Apple seems to have a number of motivations:
1. Market Simplification - All the products in a product family are simplified, improving the chances of consumers selecting the right product without them being overwhelmed by too many similar products.
2. Brand Identity Preservation- The firm will like to keep the identity of each of the iPhone models, such that budget, middle-range, and flagship buy iphone ipsw models differ clearly.
3. Sales Optimization: Another reason facilitated by a foldable device is that it can enable Apple to cater to a wider market and help capture potential conversions without compromising demand of one specific model.
4. Competitive Positioning -There is a direct rivalry between Apple and its competitors in the emerging market of foldable smartphones that the foldable iPhone 18 puts Apple in.
Impact on the iPhone 18 Family
The changes mean that the iPhone 18 family will include:
- iPhone 18 Air the entry-level one in the 18 line.
- iPhone 18 Pro balanced performance and high features.
- iPhone 18 Pro Max - the most sophisticated performance, camera and display technology.
- Foldable iPhone 18 - the unusual display is flexible.
The iPhone 17e will technically not fall within the family of the iPhone 18 but will be the budget model of the customers who desire the latest Apple technology but at a cheaper price.
Lessons from the iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e is the current low-end offering of Apple that is significantly downsized in terms of specifications compared to the regular iPhone 16, making it less appealing to readers convinced of its performance characteristics. One way through which Apple can fix this is by providing the iPhone 17e with greater parity with the flagship models, reducing its price and improving its competitiveness in the medium-segment of the smartphone industry.
Expected Launch Timeline
Apple will be releasing its latest family of devices in early September as it has done in the past. The iPhone 17e might release sooner however, either at WWDC or in its own launch event. New iPhones will go together with other items that are expected to be updated by Apple, including the Apple Watch, iPad, and the MacBook.
Market Outlook
Action observers of the industry are of the opinion that introducing a foldable iPhone by Apple will have a substantial influence on the premium smartphone sector. Although revolutionary features like the foldable IP-18 will unlikely have a mass rollout due to the price, the innovation might establish new design and usability norms in the wider market.
The iPhone 17e would also be instrumental in tapping the emerging markets that are capital sensitivity and their market share would vastly benefit Apple. Apple was in a position to reach out to people who could not afford it by providing a budget device with almost flagship performance no need to lose brand value.
Conclusion
The philosophy behind the strategy of Apple in the iPhone in 2025 is balanced thought on innovation, adaptation to the market and brand identity. The release of the standard iPhone 18 by abandoning it, the iPhone 17e, and releasing a foldable iPhone 18 make up a new look of the product portfolio to satisfy the variability of consumer needs.
As the foldable iPhone is expected to capture the ultra-premium segment and the iPhone 17e will attract the bargain-smart shoppers, Apple will be working on selling highly and consistently on all segments and staying competitive in the dynamic world of smartphone.
