Technology giant Apple is preparing to take an unprecedented step in its history, moving a step closer to releasing its first foldable smartphone. According to recent supply chain reports cited by specialized platform IT Home, renowned manufacturer Foxconn has already begun trial production runs for the eagerly anticipated device. Current plans indicate that actual shipments are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026. This development marks a major milestone for Apple, which has long adhered to its successful traditional designs, as it now enters direct competition in the rapidly growing foldable phone market.
The foldable phone sector has experienced significant development over the past few years, with major tech companies competing to deliver top innovations in this space. However, Apple has watched the market very cautiously, preferring to wait until the technology fully matured and overcame challenges related to hinge durability and flexible display quality. Apple’s entry into the arena now clearly indicates that the company has achieved reliable technologies meeting its strict standards, paving the way to entirely alter the rules of the game in the smartphone industry.
Innovative design and advanced displays
The new device, widely referred to in tech circles as the “iPhone Fold,” is expected to feature an open-book design, which has proven successful and practical in this sector. Leaks indicate the device will pack a 7.8-inch flexible internal display alongside a 5.5-inch external display. This design makes it quite similar to Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Z Fold series, which has dominated this sector for several years.
In this context, Samsung Display plays a crucial role in this qualitative leap for Apple, taking charge of producing the new phone’s foldable panels. Production plans indicate that allocated capacity ranges between 7 to 8 million units during 2026. Apple’s reliance on Samsung for display supply reflects the company’s commitment to delivering top-tier quality and a flawless user experience, justifying the lengthy time it took to develop this complex technology.
Strategic launch timeline
Reports indicate Apple has informed suppliers that shipments will begin later this year according to its internal development schedule, a timeframe appearing to progress on track despite earlier concerns regarding manufacturing challenges and defect rates. While most tech observers and experts expect Apple to unveil the iPhone Fold alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026, the foldable device may not hit retail shelves until December of that year.
Barclays economic analyst Tim Long noted in a recent research note that shipments of the foldable iPhone are expected to begin in December 2026, shortly after the Pro models become available, according to MacRumors. This staggered launch approach recalls the successful strategy Apple used when launching the revolutionary iPhone X in 2017, which was announced in September but did not reach users’ hands until November.
Prominent Bloomberg tech analyst Mark Gurman described the anticipated device as “the most important comprehensive redesign in iPhone history,” noting that this release will represent a radical shift in the company’s product design language and open new horizons for how users interact with their smart devices in the future.
Expected pricing and estimated sales
As expected with any new, cutting-edge technology from Apple, the foldable iPhone will likely carry a premium price tag placing it in the ultra-luxury tier. Circulating reports indicate initial pricing could start at $1,999 USD for the 256GB storage model in the United States. Meanwhile, well-known financial analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously estimated final pricing would range between $2,000 and $2,500 USD, reflecting the high cost of innovative materials and complex research and development.
Regarding order volumes, reports indicate Apple has placed total orders ranging from 15 to 20 million foldable iPhones. However, analyst Kuo clarified that this figure likely reflects cumulative demand expected across a two-to-three-year product lifecycle, rather than first-year sales alone. This approach reflects a conservative, calculated strategy by Apple to test market reception before committing to massive production runs.
From trial production to mass manufacturing
Early trial production runs took place in Taiwan in close collaboration with Foxconn, Apple’s long-time primary assembly partner. However, as mass production approaches, the bulk of manufacturing operations is expected to shift to India. This transition aligns with Apple’s broader strategy to reduce its reliance on China and geographically diversify its supply chain to ensure stability against global tensions or crises.
Despite all these detailed leaks and reports painting a clear and exciting picture of the future of Apple smartphones, the company has not yet officially confirmed the device’s existence or its launch timeline, preferring as usual to keep its major projects under wraps until the appropriate moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the first foldable iPhone launch?
Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable phone in September 2026, with actual shipments to users beginning in December of the same year.
What is the expected price of the iPhone Fold?
Estimates indicate the phone’s price will start at $1,999 USD for the 256GB version and may reach $2,500 USD for higher specification versions, based on financial analyst reports.
What are the standout display specs of the anticipated phone?
The phone will feature an open-book design, packing a 7.8-inch flexible internal display alongside a 5.5-inch external display, with Samsung Display manufacturing these screens.
Where will Apple’s foldable phones be manufactured?
Trial production has already begun in Taiwan in cooperation with Foxconn, and mass manufacturing and final assembly operations are expected to shift to the company’s plants in India to diversify the supply chain.
