Apple's Foldable iPhone: release date expectations, price estimates and upgrades
Render of the foldable iPhone | Image by Fpt.
Rumored upgrades:
- Product name: may be branded as the iPhone Ultra rather than the iPhone Fold
- Form factor: book-style folding design similar to the Pixel Fold and Galaxy Fold models
- Displays: a 7.8-inch internal folding screen paired with a 5.5-inch external cover display
- Crease optimization: expected to feature Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) to keep the center crease to an absolute minimum.
- Biometrics: Side-mounted Touch ID; no Face ID expected.
- Battery: 5,000–5,500 mAh capacity
- Memory and storage: 12 GB of RAM with storage tiers up to 1 TB
- Cameras: dual rear camera configuration
- Software: iOS 27, optimized for foldables featuring the new Siri AI
- A recent macOS beta update allows iPhone Mirroring windows to be resized to iPad aspect ratios, strongly hinting at foldable development
Expected release timeline:
- Anticipated for fall 2026 (likely September), alongside the iPhone 18 Pro Max and Pro.
- Despite minor rumors of a delay to December, top analysts maintain it is on track for September.
- Most recent reports point to a $1,999 starting price, down from earlier 2025 estimates of $2,399.
Jump to:
Foldable iPhone release date
Apple is said to release its first foldable iPhone in 2026, potentially called the iPhone Ultra, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series in the fall of 2026 (September).
| Foldable | Release date |
|---|---|
| Foldable iPhone (iPhone Fold) | September 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 |
*Expected date
A few supply chain rumors suggested engineering hurdles with the hinge system may push the launch to December. However, reputable Apple analyst Mark Gurman and other established leakers insist the September timeline remains on track. They state that the rumors of a delay are completely unfounded.
Despite these conflicting reports, it is widely believed that Apple is planning an annual release cycle for its foldable device lineup once it debuts.
Furthermore, Apple's pre-production timelines have reportedly progressed smoothly. Display manufacturing for the foldable iPhone is expected to enter mass production in July, following successful trial production phases that reportedly began back in April.
Meanwhile, Apple has reportedly increased its initial orders for foldable displays from Samsung to 20 million units, a significant jump from the earlier 13 to 15 million. This signals strong sales confidence, if true.
However, even with optimized production lines, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman notes that the first foldable iPhone may be difficult to find at launch due to limited initial stock.
Foldable iPhone price
Some insiders expect Apple to launch at around the $2,000 price tag, roughly in line with Galaxy Z Fold pricing. Currently, the most recent reports indicate 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
Higher storage options will likely come with $200 jumps, meaning the 512 GB version could cost $2,199 and the 1 TB powerhouse could come in at $2,399.
Earlier rumors from 2025 mentioned a much steeper starting price of $2,399, which now seems like a less likely scenario.
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 rock a book-style foldable design with a wide aspect ratio, similar to the first-gen Pixel Fold.
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 paired with a full titanium casing.
Wide book-style design and leaked renders
The iPhone Fold is expected to feature a modern, elegant design with slim bezels and flat sides, sporting a 7.8-inch internal screen and a 5.5-inch external display. Those dimensions would make its screens smaller than the Galaxy Z Fold 7's massive 8-inch main and 6.5-inch cover displays. Even the older Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the OnePlus Open would offer larger viewing areas.
There's a bright side, though – the more compact layout would give the foldable iPhone a big advantage in pocketability. Many users prefer a device that fits easily into a pocket or small bag, so Apple would be tapping into a very eager market.
Renders of what the foldable iPhone may potentially look like were recently shared by reputable tipster IceUniverse, corroborating rumors about the compact foldable design:
Render of the foldable iPhone. | Image by IceUniverse
We've also recently seen another set of leaked renders of the device, showing it looking like a mini iPad with an aspect ratio of 4:3.
Leaked renders of what could be the foldable iPhone. | Image by Sonny Dickson
Another render of the foldable iPhone. | Image by IceUniverse
We've also had dummy units of the foldable phone, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, showcasing how the phones look together as a cohesive lineup.
Dummy units of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, foldable iPhone, and iPhone 18 Pro. | Images by Images by Sonny Dickson
The foldable iPhone dummy unit features a camera plateau similar to the iPhone Air. Looking at the front, there is a distinct section that could house an under-display camera or a Dynamic Island element.
These are still early dummy units, so the final retail product will likely look much more refined. Even so, the core design concept is apparent.
Newly leaked mockup units now include a screen, showing what an even clearer picture of what to expect:
iPhone Ultra leaked dummy unit. | Images by Images by Sonny Dickson
The mockup shows an edge-to-edge cover screen with a centered, circular cutout for the front-facing camera. If this design is accurate, this circular cutout will mark a major design first for Apple. Around the back, a horizontal bar houses the dual camera lenses. The tipster also notes that the phone may launch exclusively in a white color option.
Additionally, the mockup highlights a faint crease down the middle of the internal folding display. We cannot entirely judge the final crease quality based on an early mockup like this, though, so keep that in mind. Expectations currently are that the crease will be minimal.
Alleged images from an accessory manufacturer have recently shown magnets built into the case. These hint the foldable iPhone may not come with built-in MagSafe support but rather, rely on the case to provide those capabilities.
Alleged cases for the foldable iPhone. | Images by Images by Letem světem Applem
Front Page Tech's Jon Prosser has released renders of the 'iPhone Ultra', claiming they are very close to what we'll see by the end of the year:
Renders of the iPhone Ultra, or the first foldable iPhone. | Images by Images by Fpt.
A recent schematics leak shows that the phone may actually be 9.3 mm thick in its folded state.
Potential schematics of the iPhone Ultra. | Image by Naver
Foldable iPhone thickness
According to Jon Prosser, the iPhone may measure 9.5 mm thick when folded and 4.5 mm thick when unfolded. In contrast, the leaked schematics above show a slightly slimmer 9.3 mm thickness in its folded state.
| 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 |
| Galaxy Z Fold 7 | 8.9 mm | 4.2 mm |
* - expected.
For comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is just 4.2 mm thick when opened. These measurements mean Apple's foldable iPhone may be a bit thicker than its main competition.
Hinge and crease
Cupertino may use UTG for an exceptionally thin display (more on the display later) and a less-visible crease. However, if Apple uses UTG exclusively, the durability of the foldable iPhone may not match other foldables on the market, which use a hybrid glass solution.
Rumor has it that Apple may use a 3D-printed titanium hinge for the device. A special "filler" material may be used for tiny gaps in the hinge resulting from the 3D-printed parts (instead of opting for expensive precision machining).
While early supply chain rumors suggest a minor hinge rattling sound caused internal concern at Apple, current testing suggests any initial mechanical hurdles are being smoothed out ahead of mass production.
While early supply chain rumors suggest a minor hinge rattling sound caused internal concern at Apple, current testing suggests any initial mechanical hurdles are being smoothed out ahead of mass production.
Colors
The foldable iPhone's final color palette is still reportedly being finalized by Apple, according to trusted tipsters. The closest consensus points to a minimalist lineup featuring White, Classic Silver, and a deep Indigo Blue, with a traditional Space Black option noticeably absent from recent leaks.
iPhone Ultra dummy in white. | Image by Ice Universe
Authentication with Touch ID
The foldable iPhone may sport Touch ID mounted in the side power button for biometrics, offering an alternative to Face ID that is better suited for the unique layout of a foldable form factor.
Camera control button
The iPhone Ultra may come equipped with a camera control button, similar to other recent iPhone models. Even though the device is said to be exceptionally slim, Apple reportedly insisted on including this button to ensure the phone remains easy to navigate and take pictures using one hand.
Expect the standard features for the Camera Control button on the foldable iPhone, like allowing you to quickly launch the camera, snap a photo, or slide to zoom in.
MagSafe support
According to tipster MajinBuOfficial, the foldable iPhone may handle MagSafe capabilities a bit differently than standard iPhones. The tipster recently shared transparent cases for the phone that feature built-in MagSafe magnetic rings.
Reportedly, foldable iPhone cases. | Images by Images by MajinBuOfficial
These accessories could indicate the phone itself may lack internal magnets, and instead, the phone may rely entirely on specialized cases to provide magnetic accessory support, unlike recent iPhones with built-in magnets.
Foldable iPhone display
Foldable iPhone displays rumored sizes:
- 7.8-inch inner screen
- 5.5-inch outer screen
Reportedly, the foldable screen is mainly produced by Samsung, with LG Display also acting as a secondary supplier. Apple will remain responsible for the proprietary structure, material processing, and laminated pressing method.
Crease or no crease
Rumors are highly conflicting when it comes to whether the foldable iPhone will have a visible display crease.
Initial leaks suggested Apple delayed entering the foldable market specifically to eliminate the crease entirely. To achieve a perfectly seamless screen, the company reportedly investigated highly advanced, expensive hinge technologies.
However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple's final hinge solution was around 20% cheaper than previously suggested. It may cost $70 or $80 per piece, while the expectation was closer to $100-$120 per piece.
Unfortunately, a slight crease may remain, despite the phone utilizing some of the most advanced display and hinge tech in the industry.
The crease on Apple's foldable is expected to be less than 0.15 mm deep with a fold angle of around 2.5 degrees, which should make it less visible than the Fold 7's 0.7 mm deep crease angled at between 3 and 4 degrees.
A report from Weibo has also recently claimed the foldable iPhone's crease may nevertheless beat most of the competition in terms of being almost invisible.
UTG display
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 having a less visible crease.
UTG glass is more flexible (though less impact-resistant, unfortunately) and would allow for the crease to be less visible.
Meanwhile, the foldable iPhone's display may feature CoE (Color Filter on Encapsulation) technology for a noticeably thinner and more power-efficient display panel.
Foldable iPhone camera
We expect a dual but versatile camera system on board with the first foldable iPhone.
Foldable iPhone expected camera specs:
- A 48 MP main camera
- A 48 MP ultra-wide camera
If the foldable iPhone only has two cameras, the telephoto camera will be dropped. That means the iPhone Fold won't have zoom capabilities that compete with phones equipped with a dedicated telephoto camera. In comparison, you do get a 5X telephoto lens on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, so if Apple skips that lens, it would be a considerable downside for photography enthusiasts.
Under-display selfie camera?
Likely, the foldable iPhone won't feature an under-display selfie camera, despite earlier reports claiming that.
Samsung did use an under-display selfie camera for the Fold 4, Fold 5 and Fold 6, but the tech was then ditched with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. It's quite possible Apple decided that the photo quality from an under-display camera was not sufficient for what it needed the foldable iPhone to deliver.
Meanwhile, we don't expect the foldable iPhone to feature a Dynamic Island. However, apps and notifications may span out of the punch hole similarly to how Dynamic Island displays them.
Foldable iPhone storage
The foldable iPhone is expected to start at 256 GB of storage and also offer 512 GB and 1 TB storage options.
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
The iPhone Ultra may sport a battery cell of between 5,000 mAh and 5,500 mAh, with Cupertino focusing heavily on energy efficiency to help extend battery life for the device.
| 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
An even bigger battery for the foldable iPhone has been suggested in some rumors: 5,800 mAh, according to Jon Prosser. At this point, it appears that this prediction may be a bit too generous, as iPhones are not generally known to offer massive physical batteries. Additionally, competing foldables don't offer batteries that large, so we doubt Apple would be the first to cross that line.
Foldable iPhone features and software
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone is likely to run iOS 27, reportedly a version designed specifically to handle foldable form factors. The overall look would be similar to iPadOS with a similar app layout, but without full iPad app support.
Unfortunately, this could mean some standard iPhone apps may display new sidebars when viewed on the main internal display.
As for multitasking, it is expected to mirror the iPad but with fewer features. You may be able to run two apps next to each other, but no more than that.
Meanwhile, a new multitasking capability may be in the works in iOS 27, specifically focused on how iOS handles landscape orientation. Reportedly, it would be similar to Huawei's Parallel View, which allows a single app to be shown in two parallel windows simultaneously on tablets and foldable devices.
Apple unveiled iOS 27 during WWDC 2026. For one, Liquid Glass is here to stay, but you're getting a system-wide slider to determine the level of transparency you'd like.
Also, the long-anticipated voice assistant overhaul is also here with Siri AI. The assistant gains personal context awareness capabilities, natural language processing, customizable voice expressiveness, and the ability to perform complex tasks across apps on your behalf.
Siri AI will also be able to analyze what's currently on your screen and provide real-time information based on what you're seeing. The assistant gains its own dedicated app, allowing you to easily revisit previous conversations and dive into in-depth discussions.
Apple Intelligence is getting a deeper integration in iOS 27 across almost all apps. The Photos app is getting new Reframe and Extend capabilities powered by AI, while advanced Apple Intelligence features are coming to Home, Shortcuts, Mail, Phone, Messages, and other Apple apps.
Write with Siri will be available system-wide, and the Image Playground app gains the ability to tackle complex scenes and generate custom wallpapers for your lock screen, contact posters, and the Messages app.
Now, a macOS beta version may hint at a feature specifically designed with the foldable iPhone in mind. The update brings a change to macOS' iPhone Mirroring feature, which now allows you to resize the iPhone window to look like an iPad display. Some insiders suggest this corroborates the existence of the foldable iPhone.
This would be the first time you can resize the app's window to a horizontal display. While this could be intended for iPads, it seems perfectly tailored for the foldable iPhone.
Meanwhile, iOS 27's developer beta code shows frameworks referencing "foldState" and "angleDegrees", which clearly point to a foldable device. Moreover, a check to get the total count of built-in displays has been discovered, and it isn't a feature necessary for current iPhone models, strongly indicating the iPhone Ultra's existence.
Foldable iPhone hardware and specs
Foldable iPhone's rumored specs:
- CPU: Apple's A20 Pro (2nm)
- RAM: 12 GB
- Battery: 5,000-5,500 mAh
- Charging: around 25 W
- Storage: 256 GB, 512 GB, potentially 1TB
- Camera setup: 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra-wide
The foldable iPhone may feature the 2nm-built A20 Pro chipset, which is expected to be up to 15% faster and 30% more power efficient compared to the A19 in the iPhone 17 models.
Apple may also use new WMCM (Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module) technology. This would put the RAM inside the main processors and help the iPhone Ultra process heavy workloads and AI data much 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 deep in the Apple ecosystem and have been eager to check out a foldable phone. This also holds true for those who prefer a shorter, more pocketable foldable that avoids a tall, narrow cover screen, so long as they are willing to move to stick with Apple's platform.
- You should not wait for the iPhone Fold ifyou prefer the open nature of Android. iOS is a great system, but some folks just prefer Android's file management and multitasking, and that's fine. This also holds true for those who are already happy with the current foldable offerings, since there's plenty to choose from on #TeamAndroid.
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