Apple's Foldable iPhone: release date expectations, price estimates and upgrades
Render of the foldable iPhone | Image by Fpt.
Apple's foldable iPhone: what to expect
Rumored upgrades:
- May be named iPhone Ultra and not 'iPhone Fold' as rumors previously referred to it
- 7.8-inch internal screen and a 5.5-inch external display
- First foldable iPhone will likely have a book-style design
- Only UTG glass to be used for less visible hinge
- Touch ID for authentication, no Face ID
- Apple may not have been able to eliminate the crease as it initially wanted, but it should be minimal
- Dual rear camera setup
- 5,000–5,500 mAh battery
- 12 GB of RAM, up to 1 TB of storage
- iOS 27, optimized for foldables
- The first foldable iPhone may accompany the iPhone 18 Pro Max and Pro in a fall 2026 release (potentially September).
- Some reports claim a slight delay in schedule and a potential December release.
Expected price:
- The foldable iPhone was expected earlier to start at around $2,399.
- The newest report suggests a starting price of $1,999.
Jump to:
Foldable iPhone release date
Apple is working on releasing its first foldable iPhone in 2026, possibly alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series.
| Foldable | Release date |
|---|---|
| Foldable iPhone (iPhone Fold) | Expected to arrive in 2026 |
| Samsung Galaxy Fold | February 2019 |
| Huawei Mate X2 | February 2021 |
| Honor Magic V | January 2022 |
| Xiaomi Mix Fold | March 2021 |
| Oppo Find N | December 2021 |
| Vivo X Fold | April 2022 |
A recent report claimed that the foldable iPhone may be delayed and may not come in September, as was believed earlier. According to this report, the device may come in December.
Curiously enough, a new Mark Gurman report now contradicts this information, claiming the foldable iPhone is on track for a September unveiling.
One thing is (almost) certain: Apple is reportedly planning annual releases for its foldable device, aiming for top-tier hardware and a nearly invisible crease.
According to the well-known industry insider Ming-Chi Kuo, 3 to 5 million iPhone Fold phones are expected to ship in 2026 and 20 million (plus the second-generation iPhone Fold) in 2027.
In late 2025, according to some reports, Apple moved the iPhone Fold into the engineering verification and pre-production (EVT) stage.
It was then reported the foldable iPhone's pre-production timelines were perfectly on time for a fall release. The display for the foldable iPhone is expected to enter the mass production stage in July.
Meanwhile, Apple is said to have increased its initial orders for foldable displays from Samsung. The target was apparently increased to 20 million units (from 13 to 15 million), which suggests that Cupertino is feeling confident with the foldable.
Moreover, Samsung has started mass production for the displays for the foldable iPhone, apparently a bit earlier. We've also recently had a report indicating the phone has entered trial production. Apparently, test units may soon be in use by Apple employees.
Unfortunately, a supply chain report claims Cupertino is encountering engineering problems that may cause a delay. Yet another report has recently indicated that as well.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman now says that the first foldable iPhone may be difficult to find at launch. Likely, many people would be interested in the device so it's stocks may run out quickly.
By the way, we've heard that the phone may be called 'iPhone Ultra', which, if true, would be a more reasonable name than 'iPhone Fold'.
Foldable iPhone price
Some insiders expect Apple to launch at around the $2,000 price tag. Some reports also corroborate the expectation of a Galaxy Z Fold 8-ish pricing. Meanwhile, an even more exciting rumor claims the foldable iPhone may start at $1,999.
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| iPhone Fold | $1,999* |
| Samsung Galaxy Fold 7 | $1,999 |
| Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold | $1,799 |
* - expected
Right now, most leaks and rumors suggest a Galaxy Z Fold 7-like price for the iPhone Ultra. Higher storage options may get $200 jumps.
If these leaks are accurate, the first foldable iPhone may start at $1,999 and cost around $2,199 for the 512 GB version and $2,399 for the version with 1 TB.
Meanwhile, earlier rumors mentioned a starting price of $2,399. This higher starting price seems unlikely in light of the more recent reports.
Curiously enough, Apple is widely rumored in analyses to be in a favorable position when it comes to market share. Reportedly, the Cupertino giant is expected to claim a 19.3% share of the foldable market this year.
Foldable iPhone design
The foldable iPhone might be smaller and wider than other foldable phones on the market. It might look a lot like the Pixel Fold on the right. | Image by PhoneArena
The first foldable iPhone (or the iPhone Ultra) is expected to have a book-style foldable design but be wider than the Z Fold. It may have a wider aspect ratio, with a design more similar to the first-gen Pixel Fold.
Wide book-style design and leaked renders
Unlike Google's foldable phone, the iPhone Fold (or Ultra) is expected to have a more modern and elegant look. Apple may try to avoid the problems that Pixel fans have complained about in the past, including an outdated designs, thick bezels, or extra weight.
Some leaks claim Apple's first foldable iPhone may feature a 7.8-inch internal screen and a 5.5-inch external display. That would make its displays smaller than the Galaxy Z Fold 7's massive 8-inch main and 6.5-inch cover screens. Even the older Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the OnePlus Open would offer larger displays in both areas.
Renders of what the foldable iPhone may potentially look like were recently shared by reputable tipster IceUniverse, corroborating these rumors:
Render of the foldable iPhone. | Image by IceUniverse
We've also recently seen another set of leaked renders of the device:
Leaked renders of what could be the foldable iPhone. | Image by Sonny Dickson
Leaker Sonny Dickson has a good track record for accuracy, so it is likely that these new renders show the actual design.
Overall, the early rumors said the foldable may have smaller screens may turn out to be true. If this design is real, the device may look more like a mini iPad when you unfold it.
Another render of the foldable iPhone. | Image by IceUniverse
We've also had dummy units of the foldable phone leak alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, which gives us an even better idea of what we may expect.
Dummy units of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, foldable iPhone, and iPhone 18 Pro. | Images by Images by Sonny Dickson
The phone is seen with a camera plateau similar to the iPhone Air. From the front, we see a section that may be for an under-display camera or even a Dynamic Island element. Of course, these are still dummy units, so the final product is likely to be way more refined. But the general idea is clear.
Fpt. has also released renders of the 'iPhone Ultra'.
Renders of the iPhone Ultra, or the first foldable iPhone. | Images by Images by Fpt.
A new schematics leak shows that the phone may actually be thinner than initially expected in its folded state.
Potential schematics of the iPhone Ultra. | Image by Naver
Super thin?
As you can see in the images above, the dimensions for the foldable iPhone in the new schematics are a bit better than what was reported before.
According to Jon Prosser, the iPhone may be 9.5 mm thick when folded and 4.5 mm thick when unfolded.
For comparison, the Z Fold 7 is only 4.2 mm thick when opened. However, these new schematics claim a thickness of 9.23 mm when folded, which is slightly thinner than what Prosser originally said.
| Model | Thickness (Folded) | Thickness (Unfolded) |
|---|---|---|
| Foldable iPhone* | 9.2 - 9.5 mm* | 4.5 mm* |
| Oppo Find N5 | 8.9 mm | 4.2 mm |
| Pixel 10 Pro Fold | 10.8 mm | 5.2 mm |
* - expected.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and its 8.9 mm (folded) and 4.2 mm (unfolded) numbers could outdo it on paper, but in real life, Apple's foldable will surely feel thin and elegant.
Hinge and crease
A recent report indicates that the Cupertino tech giant may use UTG with an exceptional thinness for the display (more on the display later) and a less-visible crease.
The company is also said to have moved away from a more expensive hinge technology it previously considered to keep the costs down.
Rumor has it that Apple is now going to use a 3D-printed titanium hinge for the device. A special "filler" material may have been used for tiny gaps in the hinge that could be due to the 3D-printed parts (instead of going for expensive precision machining).
However, it's important to note that with only UTG for the glass, the durability of the foldable iPhone may not be on par with other foldable phones on the market, which use a hybrid glass solution.
However, it's important to note that with only UTG for the glass, the durability of the foldable iPhone may not be on par with other foldable phones on the market, which use a hybrid glass solution.
Authentication with Touch ID
The device may bring back side-mounted Touch ID for biometric authentication, offering an alternative to Face ID that could be better suited for the foldable form factor. Multiple rumors have corroborated this information already.
Durability remains a critical concern for foldable phones, especially at premium price points. Analyst Jeff Pu expects the foldable iPhone to feature a hybrid frame made of titanium and aluminum, contrasting earlier reports that suggested a stainless steel and titanium hinge with a full titanium casing.
Bloomberg previously described the design as resembling two titanium iPhone Air models joined side by side, adding to speculation about Apple's final material choice.
Camera control button
A recent report indicates that the iPhone Ultra (which may be the foldable iPhone's name) may come with a camera control button. Even though the device is said to be exceptionally slim, reportedly Cupertino insisted on having this button on.
Rumor has it that Apple made this choice to make the iPhone Ultra easier to use with one hand. The button will likely function just like the standard Camera Control button found on other iPhones.
It should allow you to quickly snap a photo or zoom in. This practical design feels very typical for Apple, so the idea seems quite likely.
MagSafe support
According to tipster MajinBuOfficial, the foldable iPhone may come with MagSafe support. The tipster recently shared transparent cases for the phone with the recognizable MagSafe branding:
Reportedly, foldable iPhone cases. | Images by Images by MajinBuOfficial
It's important to note that despite being a prolific leaker, Majin Bu has not always been accurate.
At first, the device was believed to come without MagSafe support, so there's that.
Foldable iPhone display
Here are the rumored sizes for the foldable iPhone displays:
- 7.8-inch inner display
- 5.5-inch outer display
Reportedly, the foldable screen is mainly produced by Samsung, with LG Display also being a supplier. Apple would be responsible for the panel structure, material processing, and laminated pressing method.
Crease or no crease
Now, let's look at the situation with the display crease. This has been a major topic of rumors for months, and some of the information is a bit confusing.
At first, leakers said Apple was late to the foldable market because they wanted a phone with no crease at all. The company apparently believes that removing the crease is the main feature that will make its device better than the competition.
To reach this goal, Apple may have looked into using an expensive hinge technology.
Then, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple found a new solution that was cheaper to produce than previously suggested.
Unfortunately, even that tech may not have been able to fully get rid of the crease. A newer rumor giving us details about the foldable iPhone's display indicates that despite the display and hinge of the phone being some of the most advanced in the industry, there may still be some crease left.
According to the latest reports, the crease on Apple's foldable is expected to be less than 0.15 mm deep. Additionally, the angle of the fold is said to be less than 2.5 degrees.
For comparison, the crease on the Fold 7 is around 0.7 mm deep. The angle on that device is reported to be between 3 and 4 degrees, though it is harder to confirm.
Based on these numbers, the iPhone Fold (or iPhone Ultra) will likely have a much less visible crease than the Fold 7. Even so, it seems Apple's original dream of a perfectly smooth screen was too expensive to happen right now.
A report from Weibo has also recently claimed the foldable iPhone's crease may nevertheless beat most of the competition in terms of flatness.
Display tech
Rumor has it that Apple has chosen to use ultra-thin-glass tech (UTG) for the display, with a thickness of less than 30 micrometers. If this rumor pans out, that would be a compromise in terms of durability in favor of "crease-less-ness".
UTG glass is more flexible (and less durable, unfortunately) and would allow for the crease to be less visible.
The report also suggests Apple is using "self-healing" glass technology that's aimed at smoothing out minor scratches and stress marks over time.
Foldable iPhone camera
We expect a versatile camera system on board with the first foldable iPhone.
A report from Ming-Chi Kuo says that the foldable iPhone may only have a dual rear camera system, though. So, at this point, we don't expect something like the triple cameras on the iPhone Pro and Pro Max models.
That means we can expect the following for the foldable iPhone:
- Main camera, likely a 48 MP sensor
- Ultra-wide camera, likely a 48 MP sensor
If the foldable iPhone only has two cameras, chances are the telephoto camera will be dropped. That means you won't get as good a zoom quality as on other foldable phones. In comparison, you do get a 5X telephoto lens on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, so if Apple does not have that lens, that would be a considerable downside.
Under-display selfie camera?
Numerous early reports mentioned the foldable iPhone sporting an under-display selfie camera on the inner display. For context, Samsung's Galaxy Fold series has been using an "invisible" under-display selfie camera ever since the Fold 4 but ditched that with the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
However, those reports were likely false. Newer ones indicate that the Cupertino giant may have decided the quality of the images from an under-display camera may not be up to standards. Apple may have instead chosen to feature a punch-hole design for the selfie cameras on both internal and external displays.
The Dynamic Island would be gone (after all, the foldable iPhone is not expected to come with Face ID), but apps and notifications may span out of the punch-hole similarly.
Foldable iPhone storage
The foldable iPhone is expected to start at 256 GB of storage. We have seen many foldable phones from other brands also offer at least 256 GB of storage on their book-style foldables.
iPhone Fold expected storage options:
- 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage
- 12 GB RAM + 512 GB storage
- 12 GB RAM + 1 TB storage
Foldable iPhone battery
Details about the foldable iPhone's battery capacity have emerged, suggesting it may have a battery capacity between 5,000 mAh and 5,500 mAh.
Apple is most likely prioritizing energy efficiency, including the use of more power-efficient display components, to extend battery life instead of simply increasing the battery size.
This is actually wonderful, given that iPhones typically have smaller batteries than Android phones:
| Foldable phone | Battery size |
|---|---|
| iPhone Fold | 5,000—5,500 mAh or even 5,800 mAh* |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | ~4,400 mAh |
| Oppo Find N5 | 5,600 mAh |
| Honor Magic V5 | 6,100 mAh |
* - expected
That's a clear win over the Z Fold 7, so maybe Samsung will up the mAh numbers for the Galaxy Z Fold 8?
Meanwhile, Jon Prosser from Front Page Tech has recently claimed an even bigger number for this iPhone's battery: 5,800 mAh. That sounds pretty generous, and to be fair, a little eyebrow-raising. Not because Apple can't do that. But because Apple is not known to equip its phones with the hugest batteries out there.
If this report is true, this foldable iPhone Ultra may beat the Galaxy Z TriFold with its notable 5,600 mAh and may get close to the Honor Magic V5. We'll have to wait and see if this rumor pans out.
Foldable iPhone features and software
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone is likely to run to run iOS 27. Reportedly, we're looking at a version tailored to foldable phones.
A new report states Apple may redesign iOS for foldables, making it look more like iPadOS. The report insists we're not seeing a full iPadOS experience. Reportedly, the foldable iPhone won't support iPad apps, but iOS apps may be redesigned to feature a layout similar to iPad apps.
Some iPhone apps may get new sidebars. These will only appear in the main inside display.
Curiously enough, multitasking may look like it does on the iPad, but with fewer features. Reportedly, you may be able to run two apps next to each other, but that may be the only option.
A new version of Siri should be coming with iOS 27 too. It may even have a standalone app, similar to generative AI chat apps like ChatGPT and Gemini. The assistant should be able to understand what you're doing on your screen and assist you within other apps.
Foldable iPhone hardware and specs
Foldable iPhone's specs:
- CPU: Apple's A20 Pro (2nm)
- RAM: 12 GB
- Battery: 5,000-5,500 mAh
- Charging: unknown
- Storage: 256, 512 GB, potentially 1TB
- Camera setup: 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra-wide
Rumor has it the foldable iPhone may feature the 2nm-built A20 Pro chipset. The processor is set to be up to 15% faster and 30% more power efficient compared to the A19.
Apple may also use new WMCM technology. This would put the RAM inside the main processors and help the iPhone Ultra process things faster.
Foldable iPhone preliminary comparisons
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs Apple iPhone Fold: Here's how the upcoming foldable iPhone is going to compare to its main rival, Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Should I wait for the iPhone Fold?
- You should wait for the iPhone Fold if you're not happy with the current foldable phone design and form factors. You should also wait if you love iOS and want to have that experience rather than Android on a foldable phone.
- You should not wait for the iPhone Fold ifyou think current foldable phones are already good. The iPhone will be slightly different, which you may not like if you already like the current form factors. Also, if you don't want a foldable phone.
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