Reports and leaks circulating over the past weeks suggest that Apple is closer than ever to launching its first foldable iPhone. While the company has made no public announcements, a growing body of reporting from established technology analysts and outlets points to a clear direction in terms of design, timing and strategy.
A likely 2026 launch
According to multiple supply chain analysts, including Ming Chi Kuo, Apple is targeting late 2026 for the release of its first foldable iPhone. The most common scenario places the device alongside the iPhone 18 lineup, following Apple’s traditional September launch window. Sources cited by MacRumors, Macworld and Gulf News report that Apple has moved beyond early experimentation and into more advanced testing phases, particularly for foldable displays and hinge mechanisms.
This timeline would explain Apple’s long absence from a market already populated by Samsung, Google and Huawei. Rather than rushing to compete, Apple appears intent on entering once the technology aligns with its durability and design standards.
A book style fold, not a Flip
Credible leaks converge on one key design choice. Apple is expected to opt for a book style foldable device rather than a clamshell flip phone. When unfolded, the device would resemble a compact tablet, blurring the line between iPhone and iPad.
Reports suggest an internal display measuring approximately 7.7 to 7.8 inches, paired with an external screen in the range of 5.3 to 5.5 inches. The wider aspect ratio seen in leaked mockups supports the idea that Apple is prioritising productivity, multitasking and media consumption over compactness.
The crease problem Apple is trying to solve
One of the most persistent weaknesses of foldable phones has been the visible crease along the folding line. According to reporting by Interesting Engineering and MacRumors, Apple has focused heavily on hinge engineering and display layering in an effort to minimise or eliminate this issue.
Several sources claim Apple is testing new hinge structures combined with reinforced OLED panels. While no leak confirms a completely crease free display, analysts agree that Apple is unlikely to release a foldable phone unless the crease is significantly reduced compared to existing competitors.
Price and positioning
Analysts estimate that Apple’s first foldable iPhone will be priced between 2,000 and 2,500 dollars, placing it firmly in the ultra premium category. This would align it with high end foldables from Samsung while reinforcing Apple’s tendency to enter new product categories at the top of the market.
Such pricing suggests that the foldable iPhone will not be a mass market device but a flagship product aimed at early adopters and power users. Reports also indicate that Apple may limit initial production volumes, a strategy it has used before with new form factors.
What the mockups actually represent
Online images and 3D printed models that have gone viral in recent days are based on leaked CAD files rather than official Apple materials. Outlets such as Tom’s Guide and Macworld stress that these mockups should be treated as visual interpretations, not final designs.
That said, their consistency across different leaks is notable. Most show a wider unfolded device, minimal external branding and a camera layout similar to recent iPhone models. The overall aesthetic appears restrained and familiar, in line with Apple’s design language.
Apple’s silence remains the biggest variable
Despite the growing volume of credible reporting, Apple has not acknowledged the existence of a foldable iPhone. Some analysts caution that timelines and specifications could still shift if durability, cost or user experience concerns are not fully resolved.
Still, the convergence of analyst reports, supply chain signals and consistent design leaks makes one thing clear. Apple’s foldable iPhone is no longer a distant concept. It appears to be an active project, moving steadily toward a launch that could redefine Apple’s relationship with foldable technology.
Sources: MacRumors, Interesting Engineering, Gulf News