It is one of the world’s leading tech companies but, unlike its rivals, Apple is yet to reveal its own folding phone design.
Now, a possible release date for the long-rumoured foldable iPhone has leaked online – and it suggests tech fans don’t have long to wait.
According to reports from Apple analysts, the foldable iPhone could be launched before the end of 2026.
The rumours also suggest that Apple’s latest innovation won’t come cheap, with an expected price tag of $2,299.
That would make the ‘iPhone Fold’ almost twice the price of Apple’s current most expensive smartphone, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which starts at $1,199 (UK price £1,199).
Despite the eye-watering price, experts predict that the foldable phones’ release could save Apple from a sales slump after the disappointment of Apple Intelligence.
The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.7-inch inner display, making it about the same size as an iPad Mini when unfolded.
Apple’s biggest innovation is expected to be a new technology that allows the screen to fold without a crease.
Leaked details now suggest that Apple could be preparing to release a folding iPhone by mid to late 2026. Pictured: a render by YouTuber ConceptsiPhone of a possible folding iPhone design
Although Apple is one of the world’s leading tech companies, they are yet to reveal a folding smartphone device like so many of their competitors
The rumoured release date comes from two independent analysts who have access to Apple’s manufacturers in Asia.
The first, Jeff Pu of GF Securities, wrote in a note to investors seen by 9to5Mac that Apple is currently working on two folding devices.
The first is an iPhone-like device which is supposedly planned to enter mass production in the second half of 2026.
Mr Pu adds that this device ‘remains on track’ to enter an early stage of prototyping next month.
In addition to the foldable smartphone, Mr Pu also claims that Apple is working on a foldable device with an 18-inch screen.
This larger option may end up becoming a new Mac or iPad device but the exact details are currently unknown.
Mr Pu’s reports match reports from veteran Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who suggested earlier this month that Apple was preparing to launch their first foldable smartphone in 2026.
According to Mr Kuo, the folding device will feature two rear cameras, one front camera, a high-density battery, and a Touch ID button instead of Face ID.
Analyst reports suggest that the folding iPhone is ‘on track’ for early prototyping next month and should be ready to enter mass production by the middle of next year. Pictured: Conceptual render by ConceptsiPhone
Rumours suggest that the folding iPhone will feature a 7.8-inch main screen and a 5.5-inch external display. The phone is expected to be 4.5mm thick when unfolded, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when folded. Pictured: A ChatGPT rendering of a possible folding iPhone design
The second report comes from Tim Long of Barclays, who claimed in an investor note seen by MacRumours that a foldable iPhone would be on its way.
However, after meeting with hardware manufacturers in Asia Mr Long believes that the foldable iPhone would be Apple’s most expensive smartphone to date.
Mr Long claims that the foldable iPhone would start at $2,299 which, although extremely expensive, reflects the premium cost that folding phones typically command.
For example, the folding Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 costs $1,899 (£1,799) about double the cost of the lower-range Samsung Galaxy S25 which starts at $799.99 (£799).
Although Mr Long believes that the price tag might put off some customers, analysts are confident that the folding iPhone will be enough to revitalise Apple’s sales.
According to Mr Pu’s note to investors, Apple’s failure to deliver Apple Intelligence features like an enhanced Siri voice assistant has dampened customers’ interest in newer iPhones.
Since the iPhone 16 was billed as a phone built specifically for Apple Intelligence, Mr Pu says customers didn’t see the point in upgrading to the pricier model with such lacklustre features.
However, Mr Pu says that the company will ‘recover in 2026’ regardless of its progress with Apple Intelligence thanks to the release of folding devices.
An Apple patent, titled ‘Flexible Display Devices,’ filed on October 12, 2018, showed off what appears to be a folding phone (above). A new report now claims two different-sized prototypes are in the works, code-named ‘V68’
Apple now faces increasing competition from other folding designs such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (pictured) which costs $1,899 (£1,799). However, analysts expect the folding iPhone to be much more expensive, starting at $2,299 (£1,768)
Once a niche market, Apple now faces serious competition in the foldable space from manufacturers including Samsung, Google, and Chinese phone makers like Xiaomi and Huawei.
The Mobile World Congress (WMC) earlier this year was dominated by increasingly wacky folding devices including phones, tablets, and even laptops.
While Apple has so far shown little interest in folding devices, the success of rival products might be spurring the tech giant into action.
It is important to note that these reports are based on discussions with manufacturers and sources in the supply chain and the details could be subject to change.
Likewise, Apple has remained tight-lipped about any possible devices in the works and did not respond to MailOnline’s request for comment.
But if these rumours are true, it may mean that Apple fans can get their hands on a revolutionary folding iPhone before the end of next year.
THE TRILLION DOLLAR RISE OF APPLE
1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1 1976 as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.
The first product was the Apple I.
1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market.
Steve Jobs unveils Apple Computer Corporation’s new Macintosh February 6, 1984 in California.
1981: Jobs became chairman.
1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.
1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.
1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000.
The then Chief Executive Officer of Apple, Steve Jobs, with the iPhone
2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.
The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.
2007: Apple unveils the iPhone.
2010: The first iPad was unveiled.
2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Jobs died in October from pancreatic cancer.
2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones – the 6 and 6 Plus.
2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services.
2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device.
2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner’s face.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs speaks at an Apple event at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, Calif.
2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers.
2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.
2020: In March, Apple closes all its bricks and mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus.
2021: In an online virtual event in April CEO Tim Cook declared Apple’s goal of becoming carbon neutral for Earth Day. Later in the year the iPhone 13 was announced.
2022: In September the iPhone 14 was announced. One of the new features included a new sensor to detect if a user had been in a car crash as well as an improved camera system.
2023: Apple brought back its ‘Home Pod’ after the first generation was discontinued. The ‘Home Pod’ can be seen as an alternative to Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home as it is powered by voice commands.
2024: Apple makes its first steps into artificial intelligence with the release of Apple Intelligence. The features are not all released at once with many delayed until the following year.
