iPhone roadmap is 'most ambitious in product history', says John Ternus

Innovation on the iPhone looks different than it used to. With the product line approaching two decades of changes, it's understandable that updates these days are more evolutionary than revolutionary. But according to a leaked memo from Apple hardware chief John Ternus, we may be on the cusp of a major wave of iPhone innovation.

A New Phase of iPhone Innovation Is Coming

This weekend, Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter revealed some notable promotions on Apple's hardware team.

The team led by John Ternus is promoting three current employees to vice president level. One of them, Richard Dean, is becoming vice president of iPhone product design.

Gurman writes:

In a memo to Apple's engineering group, Ternus said Dean is responsible for the future iPhone roadmap and called the company's upcoming models “the most ambitious in the product's history.” He said Dean “continues to help create an exciting future for this iconic product line.”

That “most ambitious” quote is a pretty big claim for a product with such a long history.

Apple executives can sometimes exaggerate in public quotes. Still, the quote is worth noting.

But Ternus's words, being part of an internal memo, give them even more weight.

Clearly, Apple does view its future iPhone models as its most ambitious versions yet.

Apple always works on its products several years in advance, but Ternus's words do resonate with some of the reports we've seen about future iPhones.

Roadmap Includes iPhone 17 Air and Foldable iPhone

For example, next year’s iPhone 17 Air is expected to be ultra-thin and feature a radical new design with just one rear camera. This could be the next big thing for the iPhone, similar to the iPhone X.

Then in 2026 and beyond, we expect the first foldable iPhone. It will feature a top-down foldable design and similar dimensions to existing iPhones when unfolded.

Top comment from Yossi

Liked by 7 people

I still don’t get the appeal of foldable phones. Maybe they fit in a smaller pocket?

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The timing of these products is always subject to change, but if expectations are met, we’ll see two major changes to the iPhone in just the next two years. And Ternus knows what's coming after these models.

Add these upcoming products to this year's Apple Intelligence updates, and it's a particularly exciting time for iPhone.

What do you think of Ternus's quote? What are you hoping to see from iPhone innovation in the future? Let us know in the comments.