Apple targets late 2025 for foldable iPhone production, with a likely 2026 launch
Apple is said to be placing an initial order for 15 to 20 million units, enough to cover two to three years of sales.
Apple may be last to the foldable phone game, but that might be exactly why it ends up winning it. While Samsung is preparing to unveil its seventh generation of foldables and even experimenting with tri-folds, Apple is still fine-tuning the design of its very first. It's a strategy that is classic Apple: wait, watch, and then try to redefine the category entirely.
Reports of Apple's plan for a foldable phone have been around for a while, but according to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the long-rumored foldable iPhone is moving closer to reality. Production is expected to begin in late 2025, around September or October, with a launch currently targeted for fall 2026.
That means the foldable iPhone will likely debut as part of the iPhone 18 lineup, years behind the competition but potentially right on time for Apple.
Even so, the device is far from finished. Kuo reports that several key components, including the all-important hinge mechanism, are still being finalized. One major piece, however, is locked in: the foldable display. To be supplied by Samsung Display, the panel is expected to measure 7.8 inches when fully opened and about 5.5 inches when closed, resembling a book-style form factor similar to the Galaxy Fold.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
Apple is reportedly aiming for a thin, refined form factor with minimal crease visibility. The device may be as thin as 4.5 mm when open and just under 10 mm when closed.
There are also indications that the device may feature under-display cameras and a possible return of Touch ID, instead of Face ID, due to space constraints. If accurate, these details suggest Apple is working to balance cutting-edge features with the physical limitations of the foldable format.
The cost, predictably, won’t be small. Kuo estimates a price point between $2,000 and $2,500, possibly climbing even higher if international tariffs remain in place.
This pricing is notably higher than many competing foldables and could limit mainstream adoption, much like the Vision Pro headset, which launched to strong interest but modest sales. Then again, Apple has consistently sold high-end products at a premium, and there is often a core segment of users willing to pay for the brand’s blend of hardware and ecosystem.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
Apple is said to be placing an initial order for 15 to 20 million units, enough to cover two to three years of sales. Production is expected to scale during the second half of 2026, with shipments continuing through 2027 and 2028.
The timing may be strategic. IDC projects global shipments reaching 100 million units in 2027. With the category poised for a breakout, Apple’s debut could help revitalise interest and push foldables out of niche status.
While no official details have been confirmed by Apple, and the timeline remains subject to change, Kuo’s update is the clearest indication yet that the company is committed to entering the foldable market. Whether it launches as a category leader or arrives playing catch-up in a space already occupied by Samsung, Google, and OnePlus, Apple’s first foldable iPhone will be one of its most closely watched product releases in years.
