Apple is preparing to introduce its inaugural foldable device, known as the rumored iPhone fold. Recent reports suggest that the tech giant from Cupertino is all set to enter the foldable smartphone market next year. According to Fubon Research, the iPhone fold is anticipated to become the priciest iPhone ever manufactured.
Sources indicate that Apple could set the price for the foldable iPhone at $2,399 in the US, which translates to roughly Rs 2,15,000. This pricing would not only make it the most expensive iPhone but also the costliest foldable smartphone on the market. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 was released at $1,999 in the US, which is approximately Rs 1,78,000. Thus, it appears that Apple is planning to command a substantial premium for its foldable device compared to its competitors.
It is expected that the iPhone fold will carry a higher price tag if launched in India, following the trend seen with other iPhone models.
The report aligns with earlier speculations that the iPhone fold’s price could fall between $2,000 and $2,500. The high cost of the foldable iPhone is attributed to the premium components Apple intends to utilize. The report highlights that the display panel and hinge will drive the pricing towards the upper end of market expectations. Apple is rumored to employ an almost crease-free display for the inner screen of the iPhone fold.
The demand for the device will be influenced by the price set by Apple, with Fubon estimating potential sales of approximately 5.4 million units in 2026. Amid a projected decline in global smartphone demand that year, foldable devices are anticipated to be the focal point in the 2026 smartphone market.
The iPhone fold is anticipated to feature a 7.8-inch OLED inner display and a 5.5-inch OLED panel as the cover screen. According to JP Morgan, the inner display might house a 24-megapixel under-display selfie camera. Additionally, the foldable iPhone is expected to incorporate Touch ID instead of Face ID. Apple is likely to equip the iPhone fold with a battery capacity of at least 5,400mAh, making it the largest battery ever in an iPhone. Internally, the device is expected to run on the speculated A20 Pro chipset, akin to the iPhone 18 Pro models.
The launch of the foldable iPhone is projected to coincide with the introduction of the iPhone 18 Pro models in September 2026. This move is believed to be part of Apple’s strategy of holding two iPhone launches annually. The base iPhone 18 is anticipated to debut alongside the iPhone 18e and the next-generation iPhone Air in early 2027.