Apple’s first foldable iPhone is reportedly nearing launch as early as 2026, with a major breakthrough potentially setting it apart: a truly crease-free folding display. This innovation is expected to make the device an ultra-premium model priced around $2,399, positioning it above most current foldables on the market. Instead of targeting mass-market adoption initially, Apple appears to be focusing on delivering a luxury showcase of foldable technology.
Crease-Free Display Breakthrough
The biggest complaint about foldable phones so far has been the visible crease that appears and worsens on the screen fold. Apple is said to have solved this with a precision stress management system using custom metal plates and laser-drilled microstructures to control where and how the screen bends on a molecular level. This results in a display with no visible crease, a first in the foldable segment. The device will also incorporate a durable liquid metal hinge to support this design, enhancing long-term reliability and allowing a slim folded thickness of around 9-9.5mm. This crease-free display could become Apple’s defining hardware feature for its foldable phone, addressing a key barrier to foldable adoption so far.
Pricing and Market Positioning
Analyst estimates place the foldable iPhone’s price at approximately $2,399, significantly higher than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold models, which range from about $1,799 to $1,899. This high price aligns with Apple’s pattern of launching category-defining hardware as a premium product, prioritizing technological prowess before expanding to broader audiences. It reflects the costly materials and engineering required in foldables, including flexible OLED panels, advanced hinges, and ultra-thin glass layers. This pricing strategy underscores Apple’s intention to position the foldable iPhone as a luxury device for early adopters and loyal users, rather than a mainstream market product initially.
Hardware and Features
The iPhone Fold is expected to feature a 7.8-inch main OLED display when unfolded and a 5.5-inch outer screen for use when folded. It will likely include a dual-rear and dual-front camera setup, with advanced optics arriving in future iterations. Apple is anticipated to integrate its latest mobile chipset with enhanced on-device AI acceleration and optimize software to seamlessly operate between folded and unfolded states. The foldable iPhone will leverage Apple’s multitasking and windowing experience from the iPad, tailored to fit its unique pocketable form factor.
Production and Supply Chain
Apple’s foldable iPhone development is supported by partnerships with Samsung Display and LG Display for flexible OLED panels, alongside materials specialists like Corning for ultra-thin glass. The hinge system, incorporating liquid metal, is designed to improve durability and motion control. Signs of production scale-up, including flexible OLED supply increases and new production lines, indicate the project is advancing toward a 2026 launch. Regulatory filings and software developments also hint at progress in the device’s ecosystem readiness.
The anticipated launch of Apple’s foldable iPhone suggests a notable shift in smartphone design, emphasizing a flawless folding display free of creases and premium engineering. The device’s high price reflects the advanced technology Apple plans to introduce, setting it apart as a luxury innovation poised to stretch the boundaries of the smartphone market.
