Apple’s Foldable iPhone Takes Shape: Launch, Design, and Price
After years of anticipation, Apple’s foray into the foldable smartphone market is taking shape. Industry sources, including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, are providing new details about the foldable iPhone or what’s tentatively called the “iPhone Fold,” which is expected to debut in late 2026. The latest reports indicate an ultra-thin design, premium materials, and a substantial price tag, positioning it as a new premium tier in Apple’s product lineup.
Design and Features
Gurman’s “Power On” newsletter describes the foldable iPhone as resembling “two titanium iPhone Airs side-by-side,” a design that leverages the ultra-thin 5.6mm profile of the iPhone Air. The book-style design will feature a titanium chassis for enhanced durability, addressing common fragility concerns of early foldable phones.
The device is rumoured to have a 7.8-inch main inner display and a 5.5-inch outer cover screen, both using new in-cell touch technology to create a virtually crease-free folding display. Other features may include a side-mounted Touch ID sensor and a dual-lens rear camera setup. The device will reportedly also utilise the same high-density battery cells found in the iPhone Air.
Price and Timeline
With its cutting-edge technology, the foldable iPhone is expected to be Apple’s most expensive smartphone to date, with a starting price of at least USD2,000. Despite the high cost, analysts are optimistic, with shipment projections reaching 8–10 million units in 2026 and as many as 20–25 million by 2027. This optimism reflects the company’s belief that the foldable will create a “halo effect,” boosting sales across the entire iPhone lineup.
Initial reports suggested a launch in 2025, but the current consensus points to a release in the fall of 2026, likely alongside the iPhone 18 series. Apple is reportedly establishing a pilot production line in Taiwan to refine its manufacturing process before scaling up mass production.
