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', but it's still not 100% certain which rumor will come true
- 7.8-inch internal screen and a 5.5-inch external display
- Book-style design similar to the Pixel Fold and Galaxy Fold models
- Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) is expected to be used with the aim of eliminating the crease
- 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
Expected release timeline:
- 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.
- 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 expected on releasing its first foldable iPhone in 2026, potentially called the iPhone Ultra, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series in the fall of 2026.
| 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 recent report claimed that the foldable iPhone may be delayed to December. Curiously enough, reputable Apple analyst Mark Gurman insists the foldable iPhone is on track for a September unveiling.
Despite all the contradictions about the release date, it is widely believed that Apple is planning annual releases for its foldable device.
In February, 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 to 20 million units, up from 13 to 15 million. This suggests Apple expects strong sales.
Moreover, Samsung has now started mass production for the displays for the foldable iPhone, apparently a bit earlier. The foldable phone recently entered trial production.
Unfortunately, a supply chain report claims Cupertino is encountering engineering problems that may cause a delay. Yet another report has backed that info up. Issues with the hinge system may be the culprit of a potential delay.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that the first foldable iPhone may be difficult to find at launch because of a limited stock.
Foldable iPhone price
Some insiders expect Apple to launch at around the $2,000 price tag, more or less a Galaxy Z Fold 8-ish 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 may get $200 jumps, meaning the 512 GB version may cost $2,199 and the 1 TB version – $2,399.
Earlier rumors mentioned a starting price of $2,399, which is now seeming 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.
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 with slim bezels and flat sides. Apple may try to avoid the problems that Pixel fans have complained about in the past, such as 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.
However, the more compact design would give an advantage to the foldable iPhone as it may be more pocketable, which there is certainly a market for.
Renders of what the foldable iPhone may potentially look like were recently shared by reputable tipster IceUniverse:
Render of the foldable iPhone. | Image by IceUniverse
We've also recently seen another set of leaked renders of the device by Sonny Dickson, a leaker with a good track record for accuracy:
Leaked renders of what could be the foldable iPhone. | Image by Sonny Dickson
If this design is real, the device may look more like a mini iPad when you unfold it with an aspect ratio of 4:3.
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, showcasing how the phones look together as a lineup.
Dummy units of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, foldable iPhone, and iPhone 18 Pro. | Images by Images by Sonny Dickson
The foldable iPhone 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.
Now, we have alleged images from an accessory manufacturer that again show what the foldable iPhone may look like:
Alleged cases for the foldable iPhone. | Images by Images by Letem světem Applem
The case appears to advertise magnets built into it, which could mean the foldable iPhone may not come with built-in MagSafe support (more on that, later).
Apple leakers Fpt. have released renders of the 'iPhone Ultra', which they claim to be 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
Super thin?
According to Jon Prosser, the iPhone may be 9.5 mm thick when folded and 4.5 mm thick when unfolded. The schematics above indicate a 9.3 mm thickness when folded.
For comparison, the Z Fold 7 is 4.2 mm thick when opened, so the foldable iPhone may be a tad thicker than its competition.
| 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.
Hinge and crease
A recent report indicates that the Cupertino tech giant may use UTG for an exceptional thinness for the display (more on the display later) and a less-visible crease.
If Apple uses UTG only, the durability of the foldable iPhone may not be on par with other foldable phones on the market, which use a hybrid glass solution.
Rumor has it that Apple is 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).
Curiously enough, a new rumor now claims Apple has run into some issues with the foldable's hinge, causing rattling, which Apple may deem not up to standard.
Curiously enough, a new rumor now claims Apple has run into some issues with the foldable's hinge, causing rattling, which Apple may deem not up to standard.
The report claims that if Apple fails to overcome this challenge on time, the company may delay the phone further.
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.
Durability remains a critical concern for foldable phones. 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 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 so that the phone is easier to use with one hand.
Expect the standard features for the Camera Control button on the foldable iPhone, like allowing you to quickly take a photo and zoom in.
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 magnets positioning:
Reportedly, foldable iPhone cases. | Images by Images by MajinBuOfficial
This could mean the phone itself may lack magnets but those may be added from the case, unlike recent iPhones that have the magnets built-in.
It's important to note that despite being a prolific leaker, Majin Bu has not always been accurate, so there's that.
Colors
The foldable iPhone may be available in just two colors, according to trusted tipster Instant Digital. Reportedly, one of the colors is white. Other rumors claim Apple may offer three colors for the iPhone Ultra: classic silver, white, and indigo.
iPhone Ultra dummy in white. | Image by Ice Universe
Foldable iPhone display
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
Rumors are all over the place when it comes to the question of whether the foldable iPhone will have a crease.
At first, leakers said Apple was late to the foldable market because the company wanted a phone with no crease at all. To reach this goal, Apple may have looked into using an expensive hinge technology.
Then, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple's hinge solution was around 20% cheaper than previously suggested. It may cost $70 or $80 per piece, while the expectation was $100-$120 per piece.
Unfortunately, there may be some crease left, despite the display and hinge of the phone being some of the most advanced 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.
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.
Apple may use "self-healing" glass technology that's aimed at smoothing out minor scratches and stress marks over time.
Meanwhile, the foldable iPhone's display may feature CoE technology for a noticeably thinner and more power-efficient display.
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, chances are the telephoto camera will be dropped. That means the iPhone Fold won't have zoom as good as other phones that are equipped with a telephoto camera. 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 dubious reports mentioned the foldable iPhone sporting an under-display selfie camera on the inner display, but those are likely false.
For context, Samsung's Galaxy Fold series used an "invisible" under-display selfie camera from the Fold 4 to the Galaxy Z Fold 6, and the tech was dropped with the Fold 7.
The Cupertino giant may have decided the quality of the images from an under-display camera was not 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
The foldable iPhone may rock a battery cell of between 5,000 mAh and 5,500 mAh. Apple is also expected to prioritize energy efficiency and power-efficient components to also help extend the battery life of 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
Meanwhile, Jon Prosser from Front Page Tech claimed an even bigger number for this iPhone's battery: 5,800 mAh.
That sounds pretty generous, and to be fair, a little dubious, so keep that in mind. Obviously, we have a more compact phone and other competing foldables have struggled to reach such a capacity. Also, iPhones are generally not famous for having whopping battery cells.
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.
Foldable iPhone features and software
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone is likely to run iOS 27, but a version tailored to foldable phones.
Apple may redesign iOS for foldables, making it look more like iPadOS without it being the full iPadOS experience and without iPad app support. The layout of apps would be similar to how iPad apps look, though.
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 report by Fixed Focus Digital claims a new multitasking capability is in the works in iOS 27, specifically focused on how iOS handles landscape adaptation. Reportedly, it would be similar to Huawei's Parallel View, which allows one app to be shown in two parallel windows on tablets and foldable devices.
A new version of Siri with a standalone app should be coming with iOS 27 too. 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 rumored specs:
- CPU: Apple's A20 Pro (2nm)
- RAM: 12 GB
- Battery: 5,000-5,500 mAh
- Charging: around 25 W
- 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 knee-deep in the Apple ecosystem and have been eager to check out a foldable phone. But this also holds true for those who would prefer a shorter, more pocketable foldable that doesn't use a clamshell design, so long as they are willing to move to Apple's side.
- You should not wait for the iPhone Fold ifyou can't work with iOS. It's a great system, but some folks just prefer Android, and that's fine. This also holds true for those who are already happy with the current foldable offering, since there's plenty to choose from on #TeamAndroid.
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