#foldable-iphone

#foldable-iphone

Apple is widely rumored to be finally dipping its toes in the foldable smartphone game next year with the device we're calling iPhone Fold (though it's unclear what the official name will turn out to be). Today on Weibo, the Chinese leaker who goes by Digital Chat Station has decided to share more details about the device. According to him, the iPhone Fold will have a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, in typical book-style foldable smartphone fashion.

According to a Fubon Research analyst, who bases the estimate on supply chain data and Apple's margin requirements, the iPhone Fold is expected to cost around $2,399. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 starts at $1,999, so it's not surprising that Apple's foldable iPhone will be priced higher. Fubon Research believes the iPhone Fold's material costs for the display panel, hinge, and lightweight components are the reason behind the higher price tag.

Apple is rumored to finally launch its first folding iPhone late next year, and today a new analyst report claims the company is very optimistic about its success. Apple is said to have raised its iPhone Fold shipment forecast to 8-10 million units in 2026 and 20-25 million in 2027. This is compared to previous estimates of 6-8 million and 10-15 million, respectively. Needless to say, that's a very significant increase.

On Tuesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed the date on X, writing: "Get ready for an awe-dropping Apple Event on Tuesday, September 9!" Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that the event will announce a "once-in-a-generation iPhone overhaul." The event, which begins at 10 a.m. PT, can be livestreamed on Apple's YouTube channel and is expected to reveal the thinner iPhone 17.

Next month, Apple is rumored to debut a slimmed-down iPhone Air, breaking from the small design tweaks and spec bumps that have become routine at its launch events. The three-year plan will see its hardware change to mesh with the new Liquid Glass design in its next iOS update, as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman highlighted in his latest newsletter over the weekend.

Apple has never been shy about reshaping the smartphone market. From the original iPhone's touchscreen revolution to Face ID's biometric dominance, the company has repeatedly set industry standards. Now, new details suggest Apple is preparing its boldest move yet-a foldable iPhone scheduled for release in 2026. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman report, the device will feature a book-style folding design, four cameras, and in-cell display technology.

Bloomberg tells us that the foldable iPhone (V68, apparently) will be similar in look to Samsung's Z-Fold smartphones, opening out into a small tablet. The latest report claims it will have four cameras (so you can FaceTime in any configuration), will use an eSIM for network connectivity, and might use Touch ID rather than Face ID. The device, which will probably also use an Apple modem, is now scheduled for introduction in Fall 2026.

Apple's foldable iPhone has entered its prototype testing phase, with a functioning model already in existence and expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 series in September 2026.