Rollin' with the Foldies: The Foldable iPhone Ain't Just a Myth Anymore, Spillin' the (Apple) Tea on the 2026 Launch
Anticipated Release of Foldable iPhone by Apple in 2026
Strap on your cowboy boots, folks, because Apple's droppin' a bombshell that's gonna shake up the smartphone world, just like a tumbleweed rollin' down a dusty trail! According to Ming-Chi Kuo, a veritable Apple Whisperer, he expect's the Apple mother ship to commence preparations for its own take on foldable smartphones as early as this very year, with the big reveal poppin' up in 2026. 🎈🎊
Lotsa Open Questions, But No Closets Fulla Secrets
Now, now, no need to be a know-it-all here. Samsung's been impressin' everybody with their Galaxy Z Fold for a minute, and it seems Apple's about to join the party! Kuo figures preparations start by the end of 2025 Q3 or early Q4, but mass production ain't gonna kick off 'til the second half of 2027.
See, there are still a bushel of unanswered questions swimmin' in that ol' Apple pie – like what that fancy hinge contraption's gonna look like and how it's gonna work. Big ol' concern, there, since hinges is important for foldy smartphones, y'all.
The Display's the Star of the Show
One thing Kuo's willin' to spill, though, is that the displays comin' from Samsung Display. 'Course, that ain't nothin' new or surprising, given those Samsung folks sure do know their screens! Kuo claims they're planin' to churn out seven to eight million displays for Apple's foldie by year's end, but seeing's how the actual production's supposed to last only a few months, it don't look like they'll be makin' good on that delivery capacity this time 'round.
A Price Worth Ponyin' Up For
Kuo's got a bit more on the price tag, too. He's heard grumblings that Apple's placed an order for 15 to 20 million foldable iPhones. Given the high cost of makin' a quality, foldy smartphone, it looks like this premium device'll be sittin' pretty in the high-end segment, with a price tag between $2,000 to $2,500. Oh, my!
All that glitters ain't gold, though, and this case ain't no exception. Since there's not a whole lot known about the device outside of a few presumptions, it's possible that all these plans could change by the time production begins. Even so, Kuo's confident that this bad boy'll go like hotcakes, provided it delivers on the high quality expectations Apple fans have come to expect.
He's also throwin' around words like "real AI-controlled phone," which sounds intriguing but might cause a few heads to explode over at Google. Hardware-wise, Kuo thinks the fingerprint sensor (Touch ID) might make an appearance in the power button, given the lack of space for face recognition (Face ID) in the likely ultra-thin chassis.
Keep your eyes peeled for a foldable iPhone that folds along the longitudinal axis, with a 7.8-inch crease-free inner display and a 5.5-inch outer display. And hey, if you're feelin' a little loose with your cash, you might wanna start savin' up for this piece of tech, 'cause it's gonna set you back quite a pretty penny. Now, ain't that somethin' to think about? 🚀💸
Inspiration:- https://www.itpro.com/mobile/36660/apple-ready-to-start-foldable-iphone-project-this-year-according-to-analyst- https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/23/technology/apple-foldable-iphone-2022.html- https://www.macrumors.com/2021/06/30/ming-chi-kuo-foldable-iphone-coming-2025/- https://www.pcmag.com/news/apples-first-foldable-iphone-coming-in-2023-future-models-expected-to-be-ultra-thin- https://www.macrumors.com/2020/12/30/foldable-iphone-samsung-display-supplier/- https://www.globalspec.com/calculator/electronic-components-and-devices/displays/calculate-display-size- https://www.macrumors.com/2020/08/04/rumor-foldable-iphone-6-inch-screen/
Enrichment Data:- Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects preparations for a foldable iPhone to begin as early as this year, with a Q4 2026 launch.- The device is rumored to feature a "book-style" fold, a 7.8-inch crease-free display, a 5.5-inch outer display, and dimensions around 9-9.5 mm thick when folded and 4.5-4.8 mm thick when unfolded.- Samsung Display is expected to supply the display, with an anticipated annual production capacity of seven to eight million displays for the foldable iPhone, but actual production in 2026 estimated to last only several months.- The foldable iPhone is projected to be priced in the premium range of $2,000 to $2,500.- The device is expected to feature AI capabilities with cross-app integration and a fingerprint sensor (Touch ID), although Face ID may not be feasible due to space constraints in the ultra-thin chassis.
The Commission, in the midst of this tech buzz, has also adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to excessive use of gadgets such as smartphones, given the increase in technology-related occupational hazards.
Amidst these advancements, Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone, expected to be unveiled in Q4 of 2026, will not only boast a premium price tag of $2,000 to $2,500, but will also prioritize the wellbeing of its users with features aimed at reducing the risks associated with the prolonged use of smart devices.
