Apple is preparing to enter the foldable smartphone market with its first foldable iPhone, scheduled for launch in 2026. The move comes several years after competitors like Samsung pioneered the category with devices like the Galaxy Z Fold series, which has helped establish standards for foldable device authentication and security.
The upcoming foldable iPhone will feature a book-style folding design with two displays. The main inner screen will measure approximately 7.8 inches, while the outer display will be around 5.5 inches. Both screens will use OLED technology, with panels likely to be supplied by Samsung Display, continuing the companies’ long-standing display partnership that has powered previous iPhone generations.
The device will use ultra-thin glass technology for its display, a specialized and more expensive component that will contribute to the device’s premium pricing. According to market research, ultra-thin glass technology has become increasingly important for both display quality and biometric authentication in premium mobile devices.
For biometric authentication, the foldable iPhone will integrate Touch ID into the side button, similar to recent iPad models. The design follows Apple’s previous experimentation with side-mounted biometric sensors. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has accurately predicted Apple’s biometric implementations in the past, the device will not feature an under-display fingerprint sensor, despite earlier speculation about such technology. Face ID may be omitted from the design to conserve space in the folded configuration, though Apple is separately developing under-display Face ID technology for future devices.
The camera system will include a dual-lens rear setup and a front-facing camera that functions in both folded and unfolded positions. Mass production is expected to commence in the second half of 2026, with a target launch in fall 2026.
Initial production volumes are projected between 8 and 10 million units for 2026, with plans to double production in 2027. The device is expected to be positioned in the premium segment, with pricing estimated between $2,000 and $2,500, placing it in direct competition with Samsung’s premium foldable offerings.
The launch represents part of Apple’s broader iPhone lineup revamp, which includes other new models and potentially foldable iPads. The company’s entry into the foldable smartphone category comes approximately seven years after the first such devices appeared in the market, reflecting Apple’s characteristic strategy of refining emerging technologies before implementing them in their products.
Sources: YouTube, Tom’s Guide, MacRumors, Tom’s Guide, 9to5Mac
