Apple's First Foldable iPhone May Launch by 2026: New Rumors
Apple is the only major phone manufacturer without a foldable device.
Will Apple soon join its competitors and offer a foldable phone?
Speculation continues to build that Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone could debut next year. Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported Wednesday that the company plans to launch a foldable iPhone at the end of 2026 or early 2027.
According to Kuo, the book-style device could be priced between $2,000 and $2,500. It's expected to feature a 7.8-inch crease-free inner display and a 5.5-inch outer display, which aligns with other rumors.
Despite the steep price tag, Kuo believes Apple's dedicated fanbase will generate strong replacement demand, with projected shipments of 3 million to 5 million units initially and up to 20 million for the second generation.
Read more: iPhone 'Flip': The Apple Foldable May Still Be Coming as Competition Grows
The report comes as Apple remains the only major smartphone manufacturer without a foldable device. The company has reportedly been working on one for years but has faced challenges with the phone's hinge and the durability of the display screen.
Could foldables take off?
Foldable phones still make up only a small segment of the market but are projected to experience significant growth in the next few years, especially if Apple enters the space.
Bloomberg reported in December that Apple is developing a large foldable iPad that could expand to the size of two iPad Pros. The largest current size iPad is 13 inches, but to make playing games and viewing shows and movies better, the screen on the rumored model would open wider and fold when not in use, making it easier to carry.
According to market research firm IDC, total global sales of foldable phones reached 19.3 million units in 2024, up 6.3% from 2023 levels, Samsung led the way, followed closely by Huawei, Motorola and Honor. Foldables are typically priced high around $1200. Of course, the foldable numbers make for a stark contrast compared with the 1.4 billion total smartphones shipped in 2024.
Ramon Llamas, a research director at IDC, told CNET it's uncertain if an Apple foldable would find a sizable audience.
"A lot will depend on the use case and the price point," he said. "But what would be interesting is that such a device would practically eliminate the need to own an iPhone and an iPad."