Here’s when Apple may launch its first foldable iPhone

Apple

After years of speculation and shifting timelines, Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone may finally see the light of day in 2026. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, in his latest Power On newsletter, reaffirmed the oft-cited “next year” prediction, suggesting Apple’s entry into the foldable space is now slated for 2026.

Gurman doesn’t expect Apple to break new ground with the foldable’s debut. Instead, he credits Samsung for having already done the “heavy lifting” over the past seven years. In typical Apple fashion, the company isn’t rushing to be first—it’s aiming to be better. Gurman suggests that while Apple usually enters new product categories relatively early, this time it appears to be arriving late to the party.

However, the iPhone Fold isn’t expected to be a copycat. Apple is reportedly working on reducing one of the most persistent complaints in foldables—the visible crease—by implementing a superior hinge design. iOS 27 is also being developed with foldable-specific features in mind, giving the device a tailored software experience.

China appears to be a key market in this decision. Foldables are growing increasingly popular in the region, and Apple is keen to capitalise on the trend to reinvigorate sales.

The device is expected to cost around $2,000 (approximately Rs 1,66,000), feature a large 7.8-inch internal display, and a 5.5-inch outer screen. When folded, it may measure 9–9.5mm in thickness; unfolded, it could be impressively slim at just 4.5–4.8mm. It’s also rumoured to include a Meta Lens front camera and a dual rear camera setup.

But until Apple officially confirms it, this remains yet another chapter in the never-ending iPhone Fold saga.