iPhone foldable: In summary Suggested September 2026 release date A book-style foldable is expected The inner screen will look similar to an iPad mini Price estimated between $1,999 and $2,500 The likes of Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Motorola and Honor have all made foldable devices. In fact, Apple is the only major manufacturer not to have a model on the market. Rumours about a foldable Apple phone have been swirling for some time but they’re now coalescing into something more solid – very solid, in fact, as dummy models of the foldable have now been leaked online. When will the foldable iPhone be released? In summary A September 2026 release is expected A launch along with the iPhone 18 line-up seems most likely But a dedicated launch event is still possible The iPhone 17 lineup has been out for a while now and thoughts are turning to what Apple may have in store for us later on in the year. Chief among the anticipated models is a foldable device. It’s unofficially being referred to as the iPhone Fold, but Apple has not confirmed the device’s actual name. If Apple’s previous release schedule is anything to go by, we’d expect the foldable to be released as part of Apple’s annual line-up of new handsets, which traditionally takes place during the brand’s autumn event in mid-September. Here’s a look at the announcement dates of recent iPhones: iPhone 17: 9 September 2025 iPhone 16: 9 September 2024 iPhone 15: 12 September 2023 iPhone 14: 7 September 2022 iPhone 13: 14 September 2021 iPhone 12: 13 October 2020 (delayed due to Covid) As such, we’re expecting the high-end iPhone 18 models to be announced at around the same time in 2026. The iPhone 18 and 18e are projected for a spring 2027 release. However, as it’s an entirely new phone design, it’s possible that Apple may debut its foldable at a dedicated event. One analyst predicted that the launch would occur much earlier in the year. But a comment from a Samsung executive would seem to suggest that a September release is most likely. President of Samsung Display Lee Cheong recently told reporters that the company was preparing to supply 8.6th-generation OLED panels for foldable phones to a North American client. The panels are expected to go into full mass production in the third quarter of next year. Cheong said: “While I cannot disclose specifics regarding the client, we are preparing well.” Samsung Display is known to be the sole supplier of OLED panels to Apple. But while OLED panel news points to a September launch, another component may hold things back. A research note from Japanese firm Mizuho Securities suggested that Apple’s finalisation process for components could delay the process, meaning that there’s not enough time to manufacture enough hinges, leading to a delayed 2027 launch. However, the latest supply chain rumours suggest that, at the very least, design issues have been solved. Apple’s foldable is rumoured to be the first among rivals with a crease-free screen. If current industry gossip is correct, the foldable model is undergoing engineering checks ahead of mass production. Jason Cross / Foundry Sources: The Information | GSMArena | MacRumors | Ming-Chi Kuo | ChosunBiz | 9to5Mac How much will the foldable iPhone cost? In summary Prices are currently speculative $2,399 is the latest rumoured US price International pricing is not yet known A range of prices have been mooted, the lowest of which is $1,999. This would make it around the same as the Samsung Z Fold 7 in the US where Samsung’s model starts at $1,999, although it’s available from £1,799 in the UK. But the latest analyst estimate is $2,399. Price estimations tend to change depending on the current costings for various components, including the hinge. $2,399 is towards the top end of rumoured pricing, with $2,500 the highest analyst estimate we’ve heard. No international pricing has yet been mentioned. But if you look at the starting prices for all configurations of the iPhone 16 models, you’ll see that they tend to be the same in US dollars and British pounds – which are not equivalent prices: iPhone 16 (128GB) – £799/$799 iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) – £899/$899 iPhone 16 Pro (128GB) – £999/$999 iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) – £1,199/$1,199 Tariffs at the time of release may complicate pricing further. David Price / Foundry Sources: Ming-Chi Kuo | Instant Digital | MacRumors | MacRumors (2) | Android Headlines What specs and features will the foldable iPhone have? In summary Book-style foldable Creaseless 7.58-inch inner display, 5.25-inch outer display Aluminium and titanium frame At this stage, there is very little that’s confirmed about the design and details of the foldable – but a lot that seems to have been leaked. It’s expected to be a book-style foldable, rather than a flip phone. It’s codenamed V68 and if leaks are correct, it will indeed be called the iPhone Fold. The model it will most likely resemble is thought to be the iPhone Air. In fact, rumours say that it can best be envisaged as two iPhone Air models hinged together – except, of course, with one large screen. Many people within the industry have speculated that part of the reason that Apple made the Air is as a testing device for the technologies that would wind up in its first foldable. Apple Our sibling publication Macworld published an image of a plastic model of the iPhone foldable, based on CAD files allegedly leaked from Apple’s production line. The image is surprising as, when folded, the phone is much more square than an ordinary iPhone. That’s because it’s all about the experience when the phone is open – here, the screen will resemble the shape of an iPad mini, with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Model of the iPhone foldable, based on CAD files Subsy/MakerWorld The size and shape of the iPhone foldable was further confirmed in an apparent leak from a Turkish phone case manufacturer’s Instagram account and was publicised on Reddit. Leaked iPhone foldable case dummy Hasan Akkurt In a note to investors, analyst Jeff Pu has claimed that the Phone 18 Fold’s metal frame will use a mix of titanium and aluminium. This contradicts, or at least adds more detail, to the earlier claim that its frame would be made from titanium, like the iPhone Air. There are early expectations that the fold will only be available in black or white. One notable rumour is that it’ll feature five lenses: one on the front, one on the inside and two on the back. It’ll feature an under-display camera on its main screen. You’ll be able to take selfies both when the phone is open and when it’s closed. If the foldable has similar camera specs to the iPhone 18 Pro models, then variable aperture technology is expected for the first time in an iPhone main camera. This will allow users to control the amount of light entering the lens, giving greater control over depth of field and enhancing low-light photography. It’s also thought that Apple has found a way to eliminate the appearance of a crease on the screen when unfolded. The Fold’s inner screen was designed by Samsung, but everything else is Apple design and engineering. This includes the panel structure and lamination method. A product shown by Samsung Display at CES 2026 has created a lot of anticipation and excitement among Apple fans. Samsung showed two foldable OLED panels side-by-side, labelled as a current and a concept model. The display on the current model (which is thought to be the Galaxy Z Fold 7) showed a clear crease down the centre of the screen. But there was no crease visible on the concept model. Samsung Display’s creaseless OLED panel concept Ice Universe Here are the iPhone Fold’s rumoured specs, based on the latest leaks out of China: Inward-folding, book-style device Imperceptible crease Robust hinge composed of LiquidMetal (a zirconium-based alloy that’s used to produce strong, hard metal parts – not a liquid at all) Inner display of 7.58 inches Outer display of 5.25 inches Two 48Mp cameras Fingerprint ID via a side button instead of Face ID to unlock the phone No SIM card slot (like the Air) 9-9.5mm thick closed, 4.5-4.8mm thick open Face ID sensors under the display The iPhone Fold is projected to use Apple’s C2 modem, which is expected to launch in September 2026 with the iPhone 18 lineup. Jim Martin / Foundry Sources: Macworld | (2) | MacRumors | (2) | Revegnus on X | Ming-Chi Kuo | Macwelt | Mark Gurman | (2) | 9to5Mac | GSMArena | Digital Chat Station | Ice Universe on X | CNET | Reddit | Hassan Akkurt on Instagram That’s all we know at this point about the foldable iPhone so far, but we’ll be updating this article as more information comes to light. If you don’t want to wait, be sure to check out our top recommendations for the best phones in 2025.