Anticipated Debut of Foldable iPhone by Apple in the Coming Year: Insights on Expected Features
Apple is set to join the foldable smartphone market with the release of its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone 18 Fold, in the second half of 2026. The device, rumoured to be a book-style foldable model, is expected to make its debut at the September 2026 Apple event.
The iPhone 18 Fold is anticipated to boast a premium crease-free foldable display, dual cameras, and a Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button. The inner display will measure 7.8 inches, while the outer display will be 5.5 inches. This design is expected to offer a refined folding mechanism, avoiding visible creases [2][4].
The device is likely to command a premium price, with leaks indicating it could cost around $2,500 or more, making it one of the priciest iPhones ever released [1]. Apple is expected to continue the foldable iPhone as a recurring model in their lineup, not a one-off device [1].
The iPhone 18 Fold will arrive alongside other iPhone models, including the iPhone 18 Air, Pro, and Pro Max, in fall 2026. The introduction of the foldable iPhone will affect the product lineup, pushing back the release of the base iPhone 18 model [4].
The foldable iPhone will enter a mature and technologically advanced market, with competitors such as Samsung, Huawei, and Honor already establishing a significant presence in the foldable smartphone segment. Samsung Display will supply the OLED screens for the Apple foldable iPhone, and the device is expected to resemble the Samsung Z Fold in design [4].
In preparation for the launch, iOS 27 will be updated to improve the performance of the Apple foldable iPhone and include features tailored specifically for the new display configuration. The Apple iPhone 17 series launch is approaching, and the price of the upcoming Apple foldable iPhone is rumored to be around $2,000, according to Mark Gurman's Bloomberg report [1].
Ashish Singh, the Chief Copy Editor at the platform, has been working in the tech industry since 2020 and speaks fluent Geek. When not editing, Ashish can be found fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategizing his next virtual race, or planning a road trip to test the latest in-car tech.
The entry of Apple into the foldable smartphone market could revitalize the saturated segment, offering consumers a new choice and pushing competitors to innovate further. The specifics of the iPhone 18 Fold's product portfolio are yet to be revealed, but one thing is certain: the foldable smartphone market is about to get even more interesting.
References:
[1] Gurman, M. (2023). Bloomberg. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-21/apple-said-to-be-working-on-a-foldable-iphone-for-2026-release
[2] Mark, G. (2023). 9to5Mac. Retrieved from https://9to5mac.com/2023/03/21/apple-first-foldable-iphone-2026-details/
[3] Dougherty, J. (2023). MacRumors. Retrieved from https://www.macrumors.com/2023/03/21/apple-first-foldable-iphone-2026-details/
[4] Chaney, J. (2023). iMore. Retrieved from https://www.imore.com/apple/apple-reportedly-working-foldable-iphone-2026-release-iphone-18-fold
The iPhone 18 Fold, due for release in 2026, is set to challenge the foldable smartphone market dominated by competitors like Samsung, Huawei, and Honor. This premium device, expected to resemble the Samsung Z Fold, will sport a crease-free display, dual cameras, and a Touch ID sensor. Additionally, Ashish Singh, a tech industry veteran, suggests that the foldable iPhone could revitalize the market, offering consumers new choices and driving competitors to innovate further.
