The long-rumored foldable iPhone is no longer just a fun prediction. Apple is now deep in the engineering validation stage, and if everything stays on track, the first foldable iPhone could arrive in September 2026. That already sounds exciting, but the price leaks will probably make your jaw drop a little.
Let’s break down what Apple is building, how it is different from Samsung and Google’s foldables, and why this thing might cost as much as a used car.
Apple Is Solving the One Problem Every Foldable Has
Most foldable phones today have one major flaw. The crease. It sits right in the center of the display and never lets you forget the material and engineering limitations behind the magic.
According to new supply chain reports cited by UDN, Apple has apparently cracked this issue. The company worked with Samsung for the inner display panel but designed its own structure, lamination layers, and materials. The hinge will also use Liquid Metal, which is Apple’s secret sauce for making the fold durable while keeping it impressively thin.
If this works, the foldable iPhone could be the first crease-free foldable on the market. Imagine a book-style device that opens flat without that distracting wrinkle you see on current foldables.
The Foldable iPhone Might Arrive With a New Name
Most leaks say Apple is calling the device the “iPhone Fold.” Others think Apple could take things up a notch and call it “iPhone Ultra,” especially if the price ends up ballooning the way analysts now expect.
Speaking of price…
The Expected Price Is Way Higher Than You Think
Earlier rumors claimed the foldable iPhone would cost around $2,000. A new analyst report from Fubon Research says that estimate is far too low.
The new expected price is a wild $2,399!
For comparison:
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 starts at $1,999
- Pixel 10 Pro Fold starts at $1,799
- iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at 1,199
That means Apple’s foldable could cost double the price of the most expensive iPhone today. To be fair, Apple is probably positioning this as a halo product, almost like the early days of the Apple Watch Edition.
The company is watching foldables mature. Samsung executives even said the market is finally reaching mainstream acceptance after seven generations of improvements. Apple clearly waited until the technology caught up to their standards.
Why This Foldable Might Actually Be Worth the Premium
Here is what Apple seems to be promising:
- No crease when unfolded
- A thin, Liquid Metal hinge
- A book-style device that feels premium and sturdy
- A design Apple has probably polished for years
- A new iPhone category that sits above the Pro Max
If Apple really delivers a crease-free experience with a refined, minimal, durable design, people who love cutting-edge hardware will absolutely line up for this.
Should You Buy It?
If Apple stays on schedule, we should see the foldable iPhone sometime in 2026. Whether it is called iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra, the price will be a major talking point.
Would you pay $2,399 for Apple’s first foldable?
Or will you wait a generation or two for the technology to settle and the price to drop?
Either way, Apple entering the foldable space is going to change the industry. Again.
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