Apple's foldable iPhone will be sleeker, expected to launch by 2026: Report

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Multiple reports regarding a slimmer iPhone, which could be dubbed iPhone Air, have recently been circulating online. Due to design constraints, the Cupertino-based tech giant is said to be using simplified camera hardware, and this smartphone may cost much less than standard iPhone and iPhone Pro variants. Now, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal, Apple is also aiming to launch two foldable devices in the next few years.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report adds that Apple has been developing a slimmer iPhone and two new foldable Apple devices for years. However, the report mentions that some crucial components weren’t ready, and as a result, Apple faces challenges to perfect the hinge that opens and closes the devices. Hence, the company is pushing to release the foldable iPhone in 2026.

As for the upcoming iPhone Air model, according to a report by Digitimes, it has entered the new production introduction (NPI) phase at Apple’s Foxconn factory and could be ready for release in September 2025. Previous leaks had revealed that the phone could come with a single speaker, an e-SIM slot, a 48MP single camera, and an in-house 5G modem.

If we talk about the foldable iPhone, it is expected to feature a larger inner display than the current screen size of the iPhone 16 Pro Max when opened. According to the WSJ report, Apple is also working on another large-sized foldable device with a 19-inch inner main screen that could compete with desktop monitors and can even be used as an iPad replacement.