Apple’s $2,500 Foldable iPhone: A Bold Bet on Premium Innovation

Apple’s High-Stakes Leap into Foldable Smartphones

Apple is finally preparing to enter the foldable smartphone arena—and it’s doing so with a bang. According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the first foldable iPhone will come with a jaw-dropping price tag of around \$2,500 (approx. ₹2,17,500), making it one of the most expensive foldables on the market. For comparison, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6 is expected to cost around \$600 less.

The device is rumored to adopt a book-style design, equipped with a 7.8-inch inner display that folds seamlessly without visible creases, and a 5.5-inch outer screen for quick interactions. When closed, it will measure between 9–9.5mm, and when unfolded, a super-slim 4.5–4.8mm, making it one of the thinnest foldables yet.

Sources like Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggest Apple is in the final stages of development for this 2026-bound device. Gurman also teased that another iPhone variant may launch the same year, though no specifics are available yet.

Ross Young, a respected display analyst, supports this timeline and predicts Apple’s arrival will reinvigorate the foldable smartphone market, which has plateaued in recent years. Young forecasts a 30%+ market growth fueled by Apple’s brand strength and high consumer trust.

Notably, the foldable iPhone may mark the return of Touch ID, possibly due to the design’s thickness constraints limiting Face ID. This biometric will likely be integrated into the side button, providing a nostalgic callback for longtime Apple fans.

The materials used in this foldable will scream luxury: a titanium alloy chassis, a dual-lens rear camera, and a robust hinge made from stainless steel and titanium.

Production will move forward in phases, with final specs locked by Q2 2025, and mass production kicking off in Q4 2026. Shipments are expected to be limited to 3–5 million units, likely due to both high cost and manufacturing complexity.

Interestingly, this launch aligns with Apple’s broader push into AI-powered multitasking experiences. The larger screen real estate will cater to scenarios such as using maps while chatting with AI assistants, positioning the foldable as not just a hardware innovation but also an AI-centric tool.

What Undercode Say:

Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone isn’t just about entering a new form factor—it’s about redefining the premium smartphone experience. At \$2,500, Apple is clearly signaling that this isn’t a mass-market device; rather, it’s for early adopters, professionals, and status-seekers. The price itself becomes a differentiator—a bold Apple tradition dating back to the first iPhone.

Where Apple could succeed where others have stumbled is in user experience and build quality. Competing foldables, while innovative, often compromise on battery life, hinge durability, or software optimization. Apple’s deep integration of hardware-software ecosystems, paired with high-grade materials like titanium and crease-free displays, could finally normalize the foldable as a high-end mainstream product.

The return of Touch ID is a strategic compromise—Face ID components take up vertical space, which isn’t ideal in ultra-thin designs. This choice shows Apple’s preference for function over form when needed, without sacrificing its hallmark of seamless user interaction.

Apple’s history of being late to market but right on timing works in its favor again. The foldable category has matured just enough to justify serious investment. By 2026, consumers might be more open to larger-screen devices that support AI-led productivity tasks, like split-screen multitasking or persistent chat interfaces.

Another critical point is the AI synergy. Apple isn’t pitching this as a gimmicky gadget—it’s angling the foldable as a future-proof tool that elevates daily tasks with intelligent design. Imagine using Siri not just for setting reminders, but for proactively suggesting map reroutes while planning meetings—on a spacious, tablet-like screen.

The low production volume suggests a strategic scarcity model—a move that will both protect the brand’s reputation and create demand loops through exclusivity. Think of it as the iPhone Edition of foldables.

Lastly, if Apple indeed has another iPhone form factor planned for the same year, it hints at a pivotal design era—one where screen sizes, foldability, and AI aren’t just features, but product-defining characteristics.

In short, Apple’s foldable isn’t just a device. It’s a market message: the future of phones is flexible, powerful, and unapologetically premium.

🔍 Fact Checker Results:

✅ Multiple credible analysts (Kuo, Gurman, Young) agree on the 2026 launch window.
✅ The rumored price point and features match Apple’s premium design language and historical pricing strategy.
❌ No official confirmation from Apple has been made as of June 2025.

📊 Prediction:

If Apple launches its foldable iPhone at \$2,500 in 2026, it will ignite a luxury segment within the foldable market and set a new pricing benchmark. Expect major competitors like Samsung and Google to follow suit with ultra-premium models. Additionally, AI integration in foldables could become standard by 2027, with Apple leading the charge in making foldables essential tools—not just experimental gadgets.