Apple foldable iPhone
California: Apple is finally preparing to enter the foldable smartphone market after nearly a decade of research, engineering and design work. The company is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone at its latest product event, marking one of the biggest design changes in the nearly 20-year history of the iPhone.
The device is expected to be priced at around $2,000 or more, while some higher-storage configurations could approach $3,000, according to a Bloomberg report.
While Samsung, Huawei and other manufacturers entered the foldable smartphone market years ago, Apple took a more cautious approach.
The company’s work on foldable technology predates the launch of Samsung’s first Galaxy Fold in 2019. An Apple patent dating back to 2011 points to work on a hinge mechanism, while engineering and display teams were experimenting with foldable technology by around 2018.
The project initially involved concepts closer to a foldable iPad. But Apple eventually shifted its attention towards a foldable iPhone that could appeal to a broader consumer base.
Around 2020, then-CEO Tim Cook reportedly became particularly enthusiastic about the category after seeing the growing adoption of foldable phones during trips to Asia. The experience helped push Apple’s foldable project into a more prominent position within the company’s hardware strategy.
Pricing has been a major consideration throughout the development process.
Apple initially targeted a price of about $1,999, attempting to remain just below the psychologically important $2,000 threshold. More recently, the company has reportedly considered pricing the device as high as $2,199, while some larger-storage versions could approach $3,000.
The premium price reflects the complexity of producing a durable foldable display, sophisticated hinge technology and a thin form factor. A global memory shortage has also added pressure to Apple’s cost structure.
For comparison, the standard iPhone currently starts at around $799, while the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099.
The foldable iPhone is expected to feature an internal display measuring roughly 7.8 inches, with an external screen of approximately 5.5 inches.
The design is intended to make the device more useful for video consumption and multitasking while remaining relatively compact when folded.
Apple reportedly envisioned the folded phone as being roughly passport-sized, while the unfolded device would have proportions similar to the company’s Magic Trackpad.
However, the foldable design could come with trade-offs. The device may have a weaker camera system and shorter battery life than conventional iPhone models. Durability is another potential concern, given the mechanical complexity of a folding display.
Foldable smartphones remain a small part of the overall smartphone market, but the segment is growing faster than conventional smartphones.
IDC expects the foldable segment to grow by around 13% in 2026 to approximately 22.9 million units, compared with more than one billion total smartphone shipments.
Apple’s entry could nevertheless transform the category because of the company’s enormous customer base and influence over consumer technology trends.
Wall Street estimates suggest Apple could sell between 7 million and 10 million foldable iPhones in its first year. Some analysts believe the device could also help Apple raise its average selling price at a time when smartphone replacement cycles are becoming longer.
The launch is also a significant moment for new Apple CEO John Ternus, who took over on September 1. His first major iPhone launch comes just days into his tenure and gives him the opportunity to introduce one of the most ambitious hardware changes in the product’s history.
For Apple, the foldable iPhone is therefore more than another product. It is a decade-long technology bet—and potentially a new chapter for the world’s most influential smartphone line.
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