When Apple releases the iPhone 17 in a number of weeks, the timer will begin for the brand new flagship mannequin breaking a file set 15 years in the past. The file will take greater than a yr to interrupt, however primarily based on present rumors, the iPhone 17 would be the first to steal the crown.
iPhone 4 had an unusually long term
That file belongs to the iPhone 4, which went on sale in June 2010 and remained Apple’s prime iPhone till October 2011. As a result of Apple shifted its flagship launch cycle from summer time to fall that yr, the iPhone 4 held its spot for practically 16 months.
It was a very irritating time for purchasers who deliberate to “look ahead to the iPhone 5.” As a substitute, Apple launched the iPhone 4S, which appeared practically an identical to the iPhone 4. The modifications got here inside: Siri debuted, the digital camera improved, and efficiency obtained a bump.
The iPhone 4 technically had a number of launch moments as effectively. AT&T was the unique iPhone service within the U.S. and launched it first. Verizon adopted because the second-ever U.S. service six months later. Then the long-delayed white mannequin arrived after 10 months of setbacks.
Since then, no iPhone has matched the iPhone 4 file 15-month flagship run. The closest was the iPhone 11 Professional, which held its spot for 13 months after the iPhone 12 launch was delayed in the course of the pandemic. Different outliers exist, such because the iPhone SE to SE 2 to iPhone 16e gaps, which stretched to greater than 4 years every, however these are by design and never flagship cycles.
iPhone 17 set to outlast (with key variations)
If present reporting holds, iPhone 18 won’t arrive till spring 2027. That will imply iPhone 17 will sit on the prime of Apple’s mainline lineup for about 18 months, surpassing the iPhone 4’s file and setting a brand new benchmark for the longest commonplace iPhone run.
| Mannequin | Launch | Changed by | Period at prime |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | September 2025 | iPhone 18, Spring 2027 (anticipated) | ~550 days, ~18 months (projected) |
| iPhone 4 | iPhone 4S | 477 days, ~15.7 months | |
| iPhone 11 Professional | iPhone 12 Professional | 399 days, ~13.1 months | |
| iPhone (2007) | iPhone 3G | 378 days, ~12.4 months |
One key distinction between the iPhone 4 period and as we speak is the existence of the Professional line. The iPhone 4 to iPhone 4S stretch created an improve drought for purchasers ready for one thing new. This time, the iPhone 17 to iPhone 18 cycle will nonetheless see Professional (and shortly, Air) fashions arriving yearly, alongside what is anticipated to be Apple’s first folding iPhone. A foldable can be essentially the most drastic {hardware} change to the iPhone ever, however the iPhone 17 continues to be on observe to take the crown for the longest stretch between commonplace flagship replacements.
Apple introduced this week that it’ll maintain its subsequent occasion on September 9. Probability and I shall be in attendance for what is anticipated to be the iPhone 17 line and Apple Watch Collection 11/Extremely 3 reveal.
Shortest iPhone cycle
As an apart, the smallest delta between iPhone upgrades could also be stunning. The iPhone 12 to iPhone 13 cycle involves thoughts because it lasted solely 11 months after Apple corrected course following pandemic delays.
However regardless of being introduced in September 2017, the iPhone X was changed by the iPhone XS after simply 10 months of precise availability because of the former mannequin’s November 2017 launch date.
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