Notable Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, has reported that Apple’s first foldable iPhone will launch in late 2026. This backs up a previous claim made by The Information, which also stated the phone would be spotted sometime in 2026. However, it might not feature a clamshell design, as most have been led to believe.
According to Kuo, the foldable iPhone will adopt a book-style approach instead, purportedly offering a 5.5-inch outer screen and a 7.8-inch OLED internal display. The latter will apparently lack the creasing that is sometimes found in foldable phones, which is made possible by an advanced hinge mechanism – akin to OPPO’s Flexion Hinge that’s used on its Find N models. Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) is apparently the leading supplier for the phone’s hinge and its midframe, which are allegedly made from stainless steel and titanium. Kuo adds that the phone’s slimmer profile requires advanced 3D printing technology.
The device will reportedly measure 4.5-4.8mm when unfolded, and 9-9.5mm when folded. The phone’s casing is said to be made from titanium, with a dual-lens camera setup featured at the back while its cover and main displays are reportedly getting front-facing cameras. Additionally, the foldable iPhone is said to come with Touch ID on its power button, but no Face ID support. Kuo claims that the latter’s removal is to help maintain the device’s slim form factor.
Lastly, the analyst says the foldable iPhone will have an initial production run during the third quarter of 2025, with mass production starting in 2026, and an official launch happening towards the end of the same year. Kuo also believes that it may be priced between US$2,000(~RM8,859) to US$2,500(~RM11,074), with Apple expected to ship between 3-5 million units in next year. Interestingly, he also mentioned a second-gen version, which is expected to reach up to 20 million shipments in 2027.
(Source: Ming-Chi Kuo, via Medium)
Manisha Dharmendra contributed to this article.
