After seven years of waiting, Apple is now ready to reveal its foldable phones to its users, most likely in 2026. As per the exclusive rumors, the first prototype is now at the testing level. Also, there are claims that Apple is ready to start mass production in the summer of 2026, so most probably it is for this foldable iPhone version. And some information says that there is not one prototype, but two of them.
Also, key details said that Apple is trying to change the type from the way they revealed in 2022. Before said that Apple was working with Samsung as their Display supplier. So, in 2025, they will still be working with Samsung to get a perfect crease-resistant screen.
Those inside leaks about this new phone said that it entered the P1 prototype testing in June 2025. Mostly, it takes two months to pass this stage of testing. Then it has to go through another two tests, each of which takes two months to finish. If there are no problems, the prototype testing stage will end in November this year.
History of the news-related foldable iPhone release
The first one came in November 2020, and it said that one of Apple’s suppliers, Foxconn, was testing foldable iPhone prototypes. It also suggests that the new phone type will be released in September 2022.
But in 2022, it didn’t happen. Instead of that, in 2021, Ming Chi Kuo said it would launch in 2024. But the time has passed, and Apple’s foldable iPhones are yet to make a debut. Reports informed that Apple planned to release it in 2026. But some rumors say that the production will start in 2026 and launch in 2027.
With all these details, another report said that production will start in late 2025, and users can get their first Apple foldable iPhone in the second half of next year. Even his first statement was wrong about Apple’s foldable iPhone release. Ming Chi Kuo again gave a statement saying that it will release in late 2026 or early 2027, and massive production will start in late 2026.
As per the predictions, Apple will aim to ship between 2 million and 5 million iPhones of this type. Since the manufacturing side is more complex than other phones, this can happen. According to Kuo, in 2027 Apple will sell 20 million phones.
Jeff Pu, another analyst, said that the iPhone can debut with the foldable iPad in 2026. He said this in August 2024. He again claimed this statement in March and April this year. Also, another two reports suggest that 2026 will be the year users get their first Apple iPhone Fold.
Even though the release date is not confirmed and confusing, after considering all the details, we can say that it will mostly debut in 2026 or early 2027.
Display Supplier for iPhone Fold
With the company’s high standards, making a foldable display will be highly challenging. The screen time will be set similarly to the iPad mini with the foldable feature. In 2022, rumours that Apple with LG would work together to make a foldable MacBook or iPad screen. this news came in April, and after a while, in September, some other details said that Apple is trying to make a display without any crumble with LG and Samsung.
As per the latest details, Apple is working with Samsung to make their iPhone Fold a reality. Also, reports that came in April and May said that with prior experience with Foldable phones, Samsung works as the iPhone Fold display maker.
Design and Battery
Analyst Ming Choi Kui suggests that the thickness is approximately 9mm to 9.5mm, and when it is opened, it will be approximately 4.5mm to 4.8mm. The February leak suggests that the battery will be a 5000mAh battery cell system. Kuo suggests that the device will have two rear cameras and one front camera.
Display and resolution
Like all other foldable devices, this is expected to have two screens. Slightly small when it is folded, and the bigger one appears when it is unfolded. As per the February 2025 details, the display size will be twice a 6.1-inch display, meaning over 12 inches when it is unfolded and 6.1 inches when it is folded. But this is more unrealistic when considering the huge size.
In another report, the screen size is suggested as a 5.49-inch outer size, and the inner screen is 7.74 inches, which means it works like an iPad. In the outer layout, it is like an iPhone.
The inner display will have a 2713 by 1920 display resolution, which means a pixel density of 428 pixels per inch. The outer display will have a resolution of 2088 by 1422, with a pixel density of 46 pixels per inch, similar to Apple’s typical iPhone displays. The internal display has an under-display camera while the outer one has a punch hole camera, which is visible to anyone. The aspect ratio will be the same as older iPad modules, 4:3.
Durability, hinge mechanisms, and display creases
When it comes to making a foldable one, durability is one of the main concerns. Because the screen has to do the fold and unfold mechanism for a longer time period. Folding and unfolding can make creases in the screen. Especially the area where the fold and unfold happen. In October 2021, Apple’s patent introduced the concept of putting the display on the outside. This will help to reduce this issue. Also, they consider using stretchable displays too. In March 2025, Kuo said that Apple would use a liquid metal hinge display. Another leaked information said that they mainly focus on power efficiency. By improving the Display Driver Integrated Circuit to slim down the battery. We may also see the flexible batteries in this new iPhone Fold type.
Price
This will cost around 2300 dollars, which means more than a Mac Studio. Analyst Ming Chi Kuo suggests a price range between 2000 dollars to 2500 dollars. Another leak said that it would be the 2100-dollar to 2300-dollar range. But with the time and features, it will come, the price can change.