Apple’s first foldable iPhone is shaping up to be one of the most expensive devices the company has ever released. New supply chain forecasts suggest the iPhone Fold price will land at around $2,399, placing it well above Samsung and Google’s top foldables and even in the range of a 16-inch MacBook Pro. Earlier estimates floated a wider $2,000 to $2,500 window, but the latest reports now point clearly toward the upper end.
Analysts also expect Apple to adjust its 2026 release cycle. Instead of launching four iPhone 18 models in September, the company may introduce only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the iPhone Fold. The more affordable iPhone 18e and the iPhone Air 2 are reportedly planned for spring 2027, which positions the iPhone Fold as the centerpiece of next year’s lineup.
The iPhone Fold’s projected price comes down to component costs that remain significantly higher than traditional smartphone parts. Flexible OLED displays are still among the most expensive components in mobile hardware, and Apple is reportedly pushing for a crease free design. That requires more advanced display tech that can bend repeatedly without leaving marks, which drives the cost higher. The hinge presents another engineering challenge since Apple expects long term durability without wobble or failure. Lightweight materials add to the total as Apple typically prefers thinner builds over bulk, and those alloys and composites do not come cheap.
Supply chain analysis provides more context for the pricing. Component costs across the industry are rising going into 2026. RAM prices are up sharply compared to last year, and analysts expect the overall bill of materials for premium phones to climb by as much as 7 percent. With demand increasing for chips, storage, and memory, high end devices will naturally move higher in price. Factoring in Apple’s margin targets brings the estimate to the $2,399 level.
Rumors suggest the iPhone Fold may offer a 7.58-inch crease free flexible display and a 5.8-inch cover screen, along with a larger battery than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple is also expected to introduce a variable aperture camera system across the iPhone 18 series, giving the foldable stronger low light performance and finer depth control. Camera upgrades have historically driven upgrade cycles, and pairing a major optical change with a new form factor fits Apple’s pattern.
At $2,399, the iPhone Fold would be the most expensive foldable on the market at launch. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at around $1,999, and Google’s Pixel Fold sits near $1,800. Apple’s pricing positions the iPhone Fold at the top of the category, which aligns with the company’s broader shift toward offering fewer but higher margin devices.
Forecasts do not expect mass adoption at first. Analysts project roughly 15.4 million units sold over the product’s lifetime and about 5.4 million units in 2026. As with most premium launches, early adopters and luxury buyers are likely to drive the first wave of sales. High end models usually generate strong profits even when volumes stay modest, and the iPhone Fold is positioned to follow that trend.
The launch timing also gives Apple an opportunity to reset the smartphone market during a period of slowing demand. Global shipments are expected to dip again in 2026 as consumers stretch upgrade cycles. New hardware categories tend to revive interest, and Apple has a long history of entering markets only after the technology stabilizes. The move mirrors the introduction of the iPhone X in 2017, where a redesigned form factor helped lift demand at a higher price point.
(via Investing)
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