Apple has long been rumored to be working on a foldable iPhone. The design of the device is still up in the air, with some reports claiming a clamshell-style design while others suggest a notebook-style form factor. Now, a new report not only gives us a look at the design and features of Apple’s first foldable iPhone but also details when to expect the device to arrive and how much it will cost.
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Apple’s Foldable iPhone May Launch in 2026 With AI Features, Expected to Start at ₹1.74 Lakh
According to one Apple analyst Ming Chi-Kuo, the new foldable iPhone is said to use a book-like design and a crease-less display. The inner screen would be 7.8 inches, while the outer one would likely be 5.5 inches. Its maximum thickness will be between 9mm and 9.5mm when folded, and between 4.5mm and 4.8mm when unfolded. The phone is likely to have a titanium alloy casing, while the fastener mechanism would mix stainless steel and titanium alloy according to Apple.
Due to the complication of the design, Kuo shared that the hinge and the middle frame components will be 3D printed by Bright Laser Technologies (BLT). Unlike existing iPhones, this one may not have Face ID, switching to a side-mounted Touch ID button to solve thickness issues.
As for the camera inside the foldable iPhone, the device is claimed to have a dual-camera system on the back panel and a single front-facing camera that will be available when the device is folded and unfolded. The battery will reportedly use high-density cells, similar to those in the iPhone 17. Apart from that, the iPhone maker is anticipated to reveal other features like cross-app functionality and an AI chatbot that is able to work in the background when other apps are in use.
Kuo states that Apple will position the foldable iPhone as a premium device, with a price between ₹1.74 lakh ($2,000) and ₹2.17 lakh ($2,500). The company is expected to finalize specifications by Q2 2025 and begin mass production by Q4 2026, with shipments limited to 3-5 million units that year. A second-generation foldable iPhone is expected in 2027, with mass production beginning in H2 2027 and an estimated 20 million units shipped.
