India, July 22 -- Apple could be preparing to drop the base iPhone 18 model altogether as part of a major revamp of its iPhone lineup, according to new reports. Industry insiders suggest that following the launch of the iPhone 17 series this year, the company may introduce its first foldable iPhone in 2026, pushing the standard iPhone 18 release to a later date or removing it entirely.

Apple's iPhone 17 lineup, expected to launch in September 2025, will include: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air (an ultra-thin model replacing the Plus variant), iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Among these, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to draw attention with its ultra-slim design, reportedly just 5.6mm thick. However, its compact form may come at the cost of...