Apple updates its products on a rhythm. See how long each model has been on sale, how long its predecessors lasted, and whether it's a good time to buy.
Last updated
Show cycles in
iPhone models
iPhone 18 Pro
Buy NowRecently updated — the newest model, with a long wait until the next one. On sale for 24 days of a usual 12 mo cycle.(Just Updated)
Apple's newest Pro iPhone, with a variable-aperture main Fusion camera, the longest battery life of any iPhone to date and the A20 Pro chip.
iPhone 18 ProSep 18, 2026
24 days24 d
iPhone 17 ProSep 19, 2025
12 mo364 d
iPhone 16 ProSep 20, 2024
12 mo364 d
iPhone 15 ProSep 22, 2023
12 mo364 d
iPhone 14 ProSep 16, 2022
12 mo371 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
12 mo364 d
Next update expected ~Sep 2027
iPhone Duo
Coming SoonAnnounced or about to launch — not on sale yet.(Available Oct 23)
Apple's first foldable iPhone, with a 5.4-inch display when folded and a 7.6-inch display when open, an ultra-thin design with a minimal crease and a titanium frame, powered by the A20 Pro chip.
iPhone 17
NeutralHalfway through its cycle — fine to buy, but the next model is not far off. (Set manually.)(Mid-Product Cycle)
The entry-level iPhone, with a 6.3-inch ProMotion display, an 18-megapixel selfie camera, Apple's N1 wireless chip and the A19 chip, among other features.
iPhone 17Sep 19, 2025
13 mo388 d
iPhone 16Sep 20, 2024
12 mo364 d
iPhone 15Sep 22, 2023
12 mo364 d
iPhone 14Sep 16, 2022
12 mo371 d
iPhone 13Sep 24, 2021
12 mo357 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
12 mo364 d
RumorUpdate expected Spring 2027 (unconfirmed)
iPhone Air
NeutralHalfway through its cycle — fine to buy, but the next model is not far off. (Set manually.)(Mid-Product Cycle)
The thinnest and lightest iPhone ever, with a 6.5-inch display and Pro-level power from the A19 Pro chip.
iPhone AirSep 19, 2025
13 mo388 d
RumorUpdate expected Spring 2027 (unconfirmed)
iPhone 17e
NeutralHalfway through its cycle — fine to buy, but the next model is not far off. On sale for 7 mo of a usual 12 mo cycle.(Mid-Product Cycle)
Apple's most affordable iPhone, with a 6.1-inch display, Face ID, a 48-megapixel camera and MagSafe support, powered by the A19 chip.
iPhone 17eMar 11, 2026
7 mo215 d
iPhone 16eFeb 28, 2025
12 mo376 d
iPhone SE (3rd generation)Mar 18, 2022
3 yr1,078 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
24 mo727 d
RumorUpdate expected Spring 2027 (unconfirmed)
In each timeline, the dashed outline is the expected length of the cycle and the colored bar is how much of it has passed. Grey bars are how long previous models lasted, and the blue Average bar is the mean of all past cycles.
How the Buyer's Guide works
How does the Buyer's Guide decide when to buy?
Apple updates most products on a fairly regular schedule. For each product we measure how long the previous models took to arrive, then compare that cycle with how long the current model has been on sale. A recently released model is a safe buy; one that has gone most of its usual cycle is likely to be replaced soon.
What do the release dates mean?
Dates are when each model first went on sale, not when it was announced, so they can be a few days after Apple's event.
Is the recommendation always right?
No. It is based on past release patterns, not on inside information. Apple sometimes skips or delays a generation, so treat it as a guide. When we know something the cycle can't, such as a confirmed launch date, we override the automatic result.
Want to know which software version a device supports? Try Can I Update?
