Apple is anticipated to launch its first foldable iPhone subsequent yr, with most stories suggesting the folding handset will likely be a part of the iPhone 18 collection due in September 2026. Nonetheless, Korean information outlet The Elec says the foldable iPhone launch is perhaps pushed again to 2027, as Apple has but to finalize the design and specs of key elements, just like the hinge. The report notes the data comes from a Mizuho Securities report launched earlier this week.
The Japanese analysts declare that mass-producing a foldable iPhone within the third quarter of 2026 for a September launch is perhaps tough, contemplating Apple has not finalized the design of key elements. Mizuho Securities famous that the anticipated quantity of panel manufacturing for the foldable telephone has been revised down from 13 million models to 11 million, after which to 9 million. The analysts consider that even when Apple manages to launch a foldable iPhone on time subsequent yr, it will not have the ability to mass-produce greater than 5-7 million models in 2026.
The iPhone 18 lineup
Stories from earlier this yr claimed that the iPhone 18 lineup won’t function an ordinary iPhone 18 mannequin subsequent yr. The cheaper mannequin will likely be pushed again to spring 2027, to be launched alongside the iPhone 18e. As a substitute, Apple is anticipated to launch the iPhone 18 Air, iPhone 18 Professional, iPhone 18 Professional Max, and iPhone Fold subsequent September. Mizuho Securities gives the same forecast. It is also attainable that Apple may announce the foldable iPhone subsequent September, even when the discharge date will get pushed again. The analysts count on Apple’s annual iPhone shipments to endure on account of the foldable iPhone’s restricted provide and the exclusion of an ordinary iPhone from the 2026 lineup.
Apple may promote 229 million iPhone models subsequent yr, 7% fewer than the 246 million iPhones anticipated to promote this yr. The report additionally notes that the 2025 iPhone fashions are promoting higher than anticipated, apart from the iPhone Air. Apple is anticipated to supply 94 million models in whole this yr — 6 million greater than the unique projection. The usual iPhone 18, which could promote shut to twenty million models within the first yr, would solely make an affect in 2027. iPhone manufacturing might attain a complete of 252 million models for 2027 — the best since 2015.
Foldable iPhone specs and value
As per analysts, the foldable iPhone will function a 7.58-inch foldable show and a 5.38-inch cowl display. Different key applied sciences embrace CoE (Colour filter on Encapsulation), which eliminates the polarizer; LTPO OLED panels with 1-120Hz ProMotion expertise, and a hole-punch show design. On the latter, it is unclear which show will function hole-punch cameras, and the way giant they are going to be. Apple is rumored to place Face ID elements beneath the show in future iPhone fashions, but it surely’s unclear whether or not the foldable iPhone will profit from such expertise. Design particulars apart, the foldable iPhone’s screens will likely be manufactured by Samsung Show.
Whereas Mizuho Securities didn’t provide a particular value level for the foldable iPhone, they identified that the value may exceed $2,000 — which is in the identical ballpark as Samsung’s and Google’s folding telephones. Rumors additionally recommend that foldable iPhones might get extra reasonably priced by 2027. Apple can be engaged on new applied sciences for the twentieth anniversary iPhone, which is about to be part of the iPhone 19 or 20 collection in 2027. Lastly, the analysts from Mizuho say that the general public response to the foldable iPhone will affect the discharge of the primary foldable MacBook. The 18.9-inch machine is perhaps launched between 2028 and 2029 on the earliest, relying on how shoppers react to the foldable telephone.
