Apple is preparing to enter the foldable smartphone market with its first foldable iPhone, slated for release in late 2026. The move comes seven years after Samsung pioneered the category, marking a significant shift in Apple’s product strategy.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the foldable device is expected to launch between September and November 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, signaling a major evolution in how the company rolls out new hardware.
This marks Apple's first attempt at competing in the foldable market, which saw 68% year-over-year growth in the United States during 2025.
The company will abandon its decade-long tradition of launching all iPhone models together each fall, instead splitting releases into two distinct windows that separate premium devices from mid-tier offerings throughout the year.
Why Apple Is Breaking Its Decade-Long Launch Tradition
Apple's new staggered release strategy addresses multiple operational challenges that emerged during recent product cycles.
The company struggled with bottlenecks during the rushed rollout of Apple Intelligence features in 2024, prompting executives to reconsider the concentrated fall launch window.
Starting in 2026, three premium models, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable device, will arrive first in the fall.
The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and potentially a refreshed iPhone Air will follow approximately six months later, between March and May 2027.
This approach aims to smooth revenue distribution across quarters, reduce manufacturing strain on suppliers, and provide distinct marketing campaigns for different product tiers.
Industry analysts suggest the strategy also gives Apple flexibility to respond to competitor launches throughout the year rather than once annually.
Did you know?
Apple's foldable iPhone will be the company's most expensive smartphone ever, with estimated pricing between $2,000 and $2,300, surpassing even the highest-tier iPhone Pro Max models by over $600.
What Will the Foldable iPhone Actually Look Like
The foldable iPhone will feature a 7.8-inch internal display paired with a 5.5-inch external screen, adopting a book-style design similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series.
Gurman describes the device as resembling two titanium iPhone Airs positioned side by side, emphasizing the premium materials and construction quality Apple plans to deliver.
The titanium alloy frame will provide durability while maintaining the thin profile Apple has become known for in recent flagship devices.
Samsung Display secured the exclusive contract to supply OLED panels for the foldable iPhone, with production capacity targeting between 6 and 8 million units for the 2026 launch year.
The company is expanding its A4 production line to meet Apple's specifications, with monthly capacity expected to reach 30,000 panels by the second quarter of 2026.
Mass production of the specialized foldable OLED displays will begin in mid-2026, aligning with Apple's typical late-year release cycle.
How Much Will Apple's First Foldable Cost Consumers
Analyst Ming Chi Kuo estimates pricing for the foldable iPhone will range between $2,000 and $2,300, positioning it as Apple's most expensive smartphone to date.
This price point exceeds the current iPhone Pro Max by over $600, reflecting the advanced display technology, specialized hinge mechanisms, and premium materials required for foldable construction.
The device will initially target early adopters and technology enthusiasts willing to pay a premium for cutting-edge innovation.
Initial shipment estimates range from 3 to 8 million units during the first year, suggesting Apple expects measured adoption rather than mainstream appeal at launch.
The company reportedly plans to test production in Taiwan with mass manufacturing potentially shifting to India, following its broader strategy of diversifying supply chains beyond China.
Industry observers anticipate the price may decrease with second-generation models as production scales and component costs decline.
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Which Technology From the iPhone Air Powers the Foldable
The foldable iPhone builds directly on technology and manufacturing techniques Apple developed for the iPhone Air, which launched in September 2025.
Apple executives described the ultra-thin Air model as a technology exercise for the supply chain, testing miniaturization techniques, internal component layouts, battery optimization, and software adaptations.
Many of these same innovations transfer directly to the foldable design, where space efficiency becomes critical when housing dual displays and complex hinge mechanisms.
The iPhone Air's remarkably thin profile required Apple to rethink internal architecture, developing new approaches to component stacking and thermal management.
These advances proved essential for the foldable device, which must maintain slim dimensions when folded while accommodating additional hardware.
The titanium frame construction, advanced OLED display technology, and optimized battery configurations all originated from Air development work, demonstrating how Apple uses intermediate products to de-risk major innovations.
Can Apple Compete With Samsung's Seven-Year Head Start
Apple enters the foldable market significantly behind Samsung, which launched its first Galaxy Fold in 2019 and has since released multiple generations across two form factors.
Samsung maintains market leadership in foldables while facing increased competition from Motorola and Google, all of whom have refined their designs through multiple iterations.
However, Apple's track record suggests late market entry does not necessarily prevent category dominance, as demonstrated with smartwatches, wireless earbuds, and tablets.
The United States foldable market, projected to grow substantially through 2026, provides Apple with expanding opportunities despite its delayed entrance.
Samsung Display's role as exclusive OLED supplier creates an unusual dynamic where Samsung must balance supplying a major competitor while protecting its own Galaxy Fold business.
Apple's integration of hardware, software, and services often allows it to differentiate products even in established categories, though the company faces real challenges, including crease visibility, hinge durability, and convincing consumers to adopt a new form factor at premium prices.
The foldable iPhone represents one of Apple's most significant product launches in years, potentially opening new revenue streams as traditional smartphone sales plateau.
Success will depend on whether Apple can leverage its ecosystem advantages, manufacturing precision, and software optimization to overcome its late start and justify prices exceeding $2,000 for consumers accustomed to more affordable alternatives from established foldable manufacturers.
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