Apple's $2,500 Foldable iPhone: Premium Design, Premium Price

Apple Sets Its Sights on the Foldable Market—At a Staggering Price

After years of speculation and patent filings, Apple is reportedly ready to unveil its first foldable iPhone—set to debut in late 2026—with a jaw-dropping estimated price of \$2,500 (around ₹2,17,500). Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo leads the charge with fresh details that indicate Apple’s foldable will enter the market far above its competition in cost, notably outpricing the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 by over \$600. But Apple seems to be targeting an entirely different tier: ultra-premium.

The foldable iPhone is expected to adopt a book-style design, featuring a 7.8-inch crease-free inner display and a 5.5-inch external screen. Folded, the phone will be around 9 to 9.5mm thick—comparable to existing devices—but when unfolded, it will slim down to just 4.5 to 4.8mm, which would make it the thinnest foldable in its class.

Apple has reportedly completed the development phase, according to both Kuo and Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. Gurman also teased that Apple might launch another new iPhone design in 2026, hinting at a broader hardware refresh. Meanwhile, Ross Young, a respected display analyst, aligns with the 2026 timeline and believes Apple’s entry will reinvigorate the sluggish foldables market, potentially pushing growth above 30%.

One nostalgic twist: Apple might bring back Touch ID in a side-mounted form. This move could stem from the challenges of integrating Face ID due to the device’s thin design. The foldable is also rumored to feature a dual-lens camera system, titanium alloy casing, and a hybrid stainless steel-titanium hinge for durability and elegance.

Mass production is expected to begin in Q4 2026, with Apple aiming to ship 3–5 million units that year—a modest but strategic quantity. It reflects the manufacturing complexity and a measured go-to-market approach. Interestingly, Apple’s angle seems to emphasize AI integration, as Kuo hints the large screen will support multitasking with AI assistants, possibly setting the stage for the foldable to double as a productivity powerhouse.

This move could signal a significant shift in Apple’s hardware roadmap, combining innovation, nostalgia, and artificial intelligence in one ultra-premium product.

What Undercode Say:

Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone is both a bold engineering feat and a strategic market maneuver. At \$2,500, it isn’t aiming to compete directly with Samsung’s foldables—it’s creating a new tier. The price alone positions the device as a luxury tech item, possibly even replacing iPads for users who want an all-in-one device.

Technically, the form factor is impressive. A crease-free inner screen will give Apple a major aesthetic and functional edge over competitors still struggling with fold line visibility. The extreme thinness when unfolded—if Apple can maintain structural integrity—would be a first in the foldable space, and could help silence critics who see foldables as bulky or impractical.

The return of Touch ID is more than a technical concession—it’s a nod to Apple purists who value tactile authentication. In a time when Face ID is nearly ubiquitous, the side-mounted Touch ID offers a refreshing, secure, and likely quicker alternative, especially in a world still dealing with masks and privacy concerns.

From a strategic standpoint, the foldable iPhone could be Apple’s way of consolidating its device ecosystem. A product that fuses iPhone, iPad Mini, and even parts of the MacBook UI logic into one device could reduce users’ reliance on owning multiple Apple products—while ironically still keeping them inside the ecosystem through ecosystem-specific features.

Also notable is Apple’s continued emphasis on AI-enhanced multitasking, hinting this foldable might serve as a platform for the company’s more aggressive software integration. Given the larger display, Apple is likely envisioning split-screen apps, Siri Pro-level AI assistants, and perhaps even low-level productivity features akin to Stage Manager on iPadOS.

Lastly, the modest initial production run speaks volumes. Apple knows it’s not for everyone—this is a status device, a flagship for innovation. Think Apple Watch Edition or Mac Pro rather than a mainstream iPhone. It’s not about volume, it’s about planting a technological flag and redefining what a phone can be in the AI age.

🔍 Fact Checker Results:

✅ Price tag estimate from Ming-Chi Kuo is credible: Known for accurate Apple forecasts.
✅ Display specs align with current Apple patent filings and insider leaks.
❌ Face ID removal not confirmed by Apple—currently just an engineering speculation.

📊 Prediction:

Apple’s foldable iPhone will not dominate the foldable market in volume by 2026, but it will redefine the perception of foldables—turning them from experimental gadgets into aspirational, AI-centric productivity devices. Expect Android OEMs to follow suit with thinner, more premium foldables, and a new AI-focused arms race in form factors.