Apple's foldable iPhone to debut next year, cost over $2,000
What's the story
Apple's much-awaited first foldable iPhone is likely to debut in late 2026 or early 2027.
The device will be book-like in design and will be priced at over $2,000 (around ₹1.74 lakh).
The details have been revealed by Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known analyst famous for his accurate predictions about Apple products.
Specifications
Design and display of the foldable iPhone
The foldable iPhone will sport a 7.8-inch "crease-free" inner OLED display and a 5.5-inch outer screen, matching last month's rumors.
Kuo says the device would be 9-9.5mm thick when folded and 4.5-4.8mm when unfolded, making it one of the slimmest foldable devices out there.
The innovative design would be enabled by an advanced hinge mechanism provided by Bright Laser Technologies (BLT).
Construction
Build and camera features
The foldable iPhone will be housed in a titanium alloy, just like Apple's Pro-monikered iPhones.
The hinge will be crafted from stainless steel and titanium alloy, making it durable without adding too much weight.
It will also have a dual-lens rear camera setup and front-facing cameras for both folded and unfolded states.
Features
Authentication and AI integration
Interestingly, Kuo notes the foldable iPhone won't feature Face ID authentication. Instead, Apple plans to use a Touch ID side button to save internal space.
This could potentially leave room for a bigger battery or other features within the same device dimensions.
Further, Kuo says Apple's first foldable phone will be marketed as a "true AI-driven phone," using its bigger screens for better multitasking capabilities.
Launch
Production timeline and sales expectations
Kuo expects Apple to finalize the specs of its first foldable iPhone in Q2 2026 and officially kick off the project in Q3.
Mass production could commence in Q4 2026, with the device hitting the shelves late next year or early 2027.
Kuo estimates Apple could ship three to five million units of this device in 2026.