Foldable iPhones coming? Rollout, price, look-and-feel leaks

For years, foldable smartphones have lingered on the fringes.

Samsung and Huawei pioneered the category. Both, however, are struggling to achieve mainstream traction. 

Leaks go back to 2024 or even earlier point to a foldable smartphone.

Now, recent leaks and industry buzz, however, suggest Apple is poised to launch a foldable iPhone soon.

Possibly as early as September 2026.

Leakers claim it's no longer a question of if, but when. And when it does, the move could potentially transform the niche into a global phenomenon. 

There are three reasons why expectations of a foldable iPhones are mounting.

#1. Leaks

Credible leaks from industry insiders fuel anticipation. 

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, renowned for accurate Apple predictions, claims the foldable iPhone will feature a 7.8-inch crease-free inner display and a 5.5-inch outer screen, with production starting late 2025 at Foxconn. 

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, with an 86.5% accuracy rate, corroborates a 2026 launch, noting a book-style design akin to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold. 

These leaks, paired with Apple’s decade-long patents for foldable displays, signal serious intent.

#2. Crease-free solution

Apple’s history of perfecting nascent technologies drives excitement. 

Foldables currently face durability and creasing issues, but Apple’s meticulous approach — evident in its choice of Samsung Display’s crease-free solution — promises a polished product.

Leaker “Digital Chat Station” reports a titanium body and a durable hinge, suggesting Apple is addressing past foldable pitfalls. 

This focus on quality could redefine user expectations, much like the iPhone did for smartphones in 2007.

#3. Tech progression

Apple’s brand power and loyal fanbase guarantee market impact. Despite foldables comprising only 1.5-3% of smartphone sales, JPMorgan predicts Apple’s entry could create a $65 billion market, with 45 million units sold by 2028.

Priced at an estimated range of between $1,800-$2,500, the foldable iPhone targets premium buyers, leveraging Apple’s 57% US market share to drive demand.

But how could Apple mainstream foldable smartphones?

Through its software integration and marketing, as well as the wider use of 5G and, eventually, 6G connectivity.

By enhancing Apple Intelligence with multi-modal AI for larger screens, as leaker Kuo suggests, the foldable iPhone could offer seamless experiences like simultaneous app use and AI-driven travel planning. 

Its rumoured slim design (4.5-4.8mm unfolded) and Touch ID side button address practicality, while a near crease-free display sets a new standard. 

Apple’s knack for trendsetting — evidenced by removing headphone jacks and embracing 5G — positions it to reshape perceptions, making foldables a “must-have” device. 

With competitors like Samsung and Huawei gaining traction, Apple’s entry could ignite a foldable revolution, turning a seven-year niche into a mainstream platform.