Apple is preparing one of its boldest product shifts yet: a foldable iPhone. After years of speculation, industry reports now point to a 2026 release window, positioning the device as the centerpiece of that year’s lineup. The foldable will mark Apple’s entry into a market where rivals like Samsung, Google, and Chinese manufacturers have already established a presence.
According to Mark Gurman, Apple’s foldable is being designed as an ultra-thin device, essentially like two iPhone Air models joined together. Titanium is expected to play a key role in its construction, creating a strong yet lightweight body that can withstand repeated folding. The design is described as a major engineering achievement, aligning with Apple’s reputation for hardware refinement.
Pricing will reflect the complexity. Gurman suggests the foldable iPhone could cost at least $2,000, making it Apple’s most expensive iPhone yet. This would place it well above Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line, but Apple is betting that premium build quality and ecosystem integration will justify the price for early adopters.
Manufacturing is expected to remain closely tied to Apple’s main suppliers. While there has been speculation about production shifting to India, Foxconn in China is still seen as a key partner. Apple has a history of testing prototypes across multiple regions before ramping up mass production, so details may evolve as the 2026 launch approaches.
The foldable’s debut will come amid growing questions about the future of the iPhone as the central device in consumers’ lives. By 2028, rivals such as Meta, Google, and OpenAI are expected to have advanced AR glasses and other AI-first devices on the market. Apple’s foldable strategy may serve as a bridge, keeping the iPhone relevant until the company introduces its own smart glasses in 2026 and true augmented reality wearables in 2028.
Compared to incremental updates of recent years, the foldable iPhone could reignite excitement around Apple hardware. For users, it represents not just another new model but a fresh form factor with the potential to reshape how an iPhone is used day to day. With launch still over a year away, Apple will continue refining its design and supply chain. But if Gurman’s reporting holds, the foldable iPhone is set to be one of the most anticipated Apple products in years.
