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A Revolutionary Leap or a Risky Bet?
Apple is preparing to enter the foldable smartphone race — but it’s doing so in true Apple fashion: late, bold, and premium. Reports from reliable analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo, Mark Gurman, and Ross Young suggest the company is gearing up for a late 2026 debut of its first foldable iPhone, with an eye-popping price tag of around \$2,500 (approximately ₹2,17,500). This would make it one of the most expensive foldables on the market, positioning it nearly \$600 above Samsung’s flagship foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
While competitors have been experimenting with foldables for years, Apple’s approach signals something different — a refined, high-end device that could disrupt the slowing foldable market and reignite interest in the form factor.
Foldable iPhone: What We Know So Far
According to leaked specs and supply chain analysts, the first foldable iPhone will feature a book-style fold with an impressively thin 7.8-inch crease-free inner display and a 5.5-inch outer screen. When folded, the device will be 9–9.5mm thick — thinner than most foldables today — and just 4.5–4.8mm when unfolded.
Production planning is already underway. Apple is expected to finalize the specifications by Q2 2025, with mass production beginning in Q4 2026. The initial batch will reportedly be limited to 3–5 million units, suggesting a cautious but calculated rollout strategy.
Beyond the foldable screen, the device may reintroduce Touch ID, but this time embedded into the side button — a nostalgic nod that bypasses the complexity of adding Face ID to such a thin device. The foldable iPhone will also feature a dual-lens rear camera, a titanium alloy body, and a hinge system combining titanium and stainless steel.
Perhaps most intriguingly, Apple appears to be branding the device as AI-forward, aiming to leverage the larger screen for advanced multitasking and AI assistant interactions, like using Maps while speaking to Siri or another AI tool.
📊 What Undercode Say:
Apple’s foldable isn’t just another smartphone — it’s a strategic statement. This isn’t about catching up to Samsung or Huawei. It’s about dominating a niche Apple believes is about to go mainstream, and defining that space on its own terms. Here’s a deeper look at why this matters:
1. Price Tag: Risk or Signal of Prestige?
At \$2,500, Apple isn’t targeting the average user. It’s targeting early adopters, luxury tech buyers, and professionals who value design and functionality over price. That’s consistent with Apple’s historical pricing for first-gen products (see the original iPhone and Apple Watch). But it also sets high expectations. Apple must deliver a product that feels like a \$2,500 experience from the moment it’s unboxed.
2. Design Leadership in Foldables
Samsung and others may have pioneered foldables, but Apple could perfect them. The rumored crease-free display and ultra-thin unfolded form factor indicate Apple is focused on industrial design excellence. If the hinge mechanism feels seamless and the UI adapts fluidly to the fold, Apple may win over skeptics.
3. Touch
Removing Face ID may sound like a step back, but for a thin foldable, it’s a practical trade-off. Touch ID on the side could also help differentiate Apple’s model from Samsung’s offerings, many of which still use under-display fingerprint sensors.
4. AI-Driven Interface: A Smart Pivot
Apple is using the larger display not just as a gimmick, but as an enabler for AI-first experiences. With Siri set for a massive upgrade across devices, a foldable iPhone could act as a canvas for these smarter, more interactive assistants.
5. Limited Launch = Controlled Buzz
With just 3–5 million units in the first year, Apple is managing supply, demand, and perception. It lets Apple test production pipelines, watch user feedback closely, and drive up desirability through scarcity — a tactic it has mastered.
6. Impact on the Market
If Apple succeeds, the foldable smartphone market could explode. Ross Young’s prediction of a 30% market boost isn’t far-fetched. Apple’s entry typically validates a category and forces other brands to raise their standards or pivot entirely.
7. Timeline & Expectations
Apple is playing the long game. This isn’t a 2025 surprise drop; it’s a carefully calculated 2026 release, possibly alongside another “new” iPhone design mentioned by Gurman. Expect more teasers, leaks, and controlled narratives between now and then.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ Ming-Chi Kuo’s report is consistent with previous accurate leaks about Apple’s hardware planning.
✅ Display specs from Ross Young align with supply chain trends and existing Apple display partnerships.
✅ Mark Gurman’s reporting has proven accurate for several years regarding Apple product timelines.
📊 Prediction:
Expect the foldable iPhone to dominate 2026 holiday sales among premium users, but it won’t become a mass-market staple immediately. Apple will test the waters, refine the product, and only scale if user feedback and production efficiencies align. However, its design language, software integration, and AI-forward use cases could reshape how foldables are perceived — turning them from experimental gadgets into essential tools for Apple loyalists and tech-savvy professionals.
References:
Reported By: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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