Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to arrive in September 2026, as part of the iPhone 18 lineup, with a starting price of $1,999 (about Rs 1.75 lakh), according to JPMorgan (via CNBC). That’s on par with what the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 costs globally, which is on its seventh iteration now. So, why should anyone care about a first-gen product at that price? We touched upon the answer to this in a previous article, that when Apple enters a product category, even late, it tends to push the category forward.
The foldable iPhone could bring a book-style design with a 5.49-inch outer display and a 7.76-inch internal display that uses Samsung Display and is rumoured to avoid visible creases, a problem many current foldables still face. Besides, the phone could also include two 48MP rear cameras (so, perhaps not camera-centric like the iPhone 16 Pro models, which have more cameras), Touch ID, and iOS 27 with foldable-specific features. The folding iPhone could be 4.5 to 4.8mm thick when unfolded. Inside, it could be housing a high-density battery, likely silicon-carbon cells.
That would put it in direct competition with 2025 foldable flagships, which have steadily improved on design, software, displays, and cameras. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 offers a larger screen than the rumoured Apple foldable. In our hands-on review, we liked its thin profile, improved productivity, capable cameras, AI features, and it worked well both as a tablet and a regular phone.
The Honor Magic V5 also has a slightly bigger display, but its standout feature is its slim 8.8mm profile when folded. The Vivo X Fold5 brings a refined design, Origin Workbench for multitasking, and Zeiss-powered cameras.
Compared to these, Apple’s offering could appear modest on specs and late to market. But that’s where Apple’s real advantage lies, deep integration between hardware and software.
As we said before, Apple wasn’t the first to make smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, or TWS earbuds, yet the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods became industry benchmarks. The same could happen here. While Samsung and others have spent years refining foldables, Apple has taken its time, watching, learning, and likely planning a more polished approach.
Its strategy seems to involve waiting for key technologies, especially hinges and foldable displays, to mature before entering with a product that feels less experimental and more ready for the mainstream. iOS 27 is reportedly being developed with foldables in mind, and Apple may borrow from the iPad’s UI elements to optimise large-screen app experiences, something Android still struggles with for the most part.
Most foldables today are still considered niche as they are expensive, fragile, and sometimes awkward in daily use. Even with IP ratings, dust ingress and hinge failures remain concerns. Apple is believed to equip the new foldable with a titanium chassis, liquid metal hinges, and, as mentioned already, a seemingly creaseless main display. Moreover, the brand has a track record of overcoming such issues through materials engineering and software design. Think of Vision Pro’s advanced sensors or the Apple Watch’s water and dust resistance. If it brings similar durability and user experience to a foldable iPhone, it could set a new benchmark.
Now, perhaps because of the design constraints, Apple could be using a side-mounted Touch ID instead of Face ID. The company has reportedly faced challenges fitting the full TrueDepth sensor into the slim foldable body. While understandable, some users may still miss Face ID.
If you’re an iPhone user willing to pay for a new form factor that supports multitasking and media use, this might be worth waiting for. Even Android users curious about foldables but are excited about what Apple could offer, you may wait. But if you want value or prefer proven designs, waiting for the second generation might be wiser.
Either way, the Apple folding phone should be released in September 2026. If the company delivers a crease-free display, solid durability, and a refined software experience, it could push foldables into mainstream adoption. Sure, the $1,999 price may seem high, but it is closer to what current flagship foldables cost, and history suggests Apple users are willing to pay for polish, reliability, and ecosystem integration.
