iPhone Air - Theories About Its Future

There is rampant speculation about the iPhone Air even as it has been released a little more than a week ago. Even though I do not have the device and currently has no plan on getting it, I feel a connection to it as I believe it holds the future to lighter iPhones and the iPhone Fold (which I’ll call the iBook - here is why I think Apple should call it the iBook).

As I listened to podcasts and watched YouTube videos of those who were lucky enough to have had hands-on with the iPhone Air, I noticed many of them made the mistake of call it the iPHone 17 Air or iPhone Air 17. It is a natural mistake after all - this year is iPhone 17’s moment. But why just iPhone Air?

Honestly, who cares. I have always felt that Apple should get away from the numbering scheme and stick with the iPhone and the year it is released. So, this year’s iPhone could be just iPhone, iPhone Pro, and iPhone Pro Max released in 2026. Or iPhone 2026 for anyone keeping score.

Apple already does something like this.

• iPad is just iPad. iPad Air and iPad Pro do not have a numbering sequence. If you are looking for a specific model, Apple’s own website refers to previous models by generation or the year it was released. 
• MacBook Air, MacBook Pro. iMac, Mac mini. Mac Studio. There is no Mac Studio 2. There is no MacBook Pro 7. Just MacBook Pro. 
• We have iOS, IPadOS, WatchOS, and MacOS all followed by “26” for 2026. 

Here is my prediction: There will be no iPhone 18. Just the iPhone, iPhone Pro, and iPhone Pro Max.