Rumoured for years, but 2026 might finally be when Apple launches its first folding phone as it – at long last – takes on the likes of Samsung and Google with the iPhone Fold.
For months, there’s been chatter of a shake-up to Apple’s entire iPhone launch strategy, with reputable leakers suggesting the tech giant could punt the regular iPhone 18 to 2027 as it throws all its weight behnd behind more premium models in September, including the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max.
While nothing is confirmed yet, the latest leaks suggest the iPhone Fold will be a book-style foldable, opening out into a tablet-like display. Apple is also said to be working on a completely crease-free design. Here’s what we know so far, from price and release date to design, camera and specs.
Apple iPhone Fold release date
Apple has reportedly been working on a foldable smartphone for years. In January 2021, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the tech giant had begun early work on a foldable iPhone and was already testing prototype foldable displays internally.
We’ve been waiting for it to launch ever since. In 2021, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo speculated the folding iPhone could launch as early as 2024. Evidently, that never happened. Due to the challenges in manufacturing a foldable iPhone without a crease, there have been delays, leading Kuo to suggest last year that it would launch in 2026 instead.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman gave us a better idea of this potential launch strategy in late 2025. He stated that Apple would move towards a more spread-out launch window from September 2026, only launching the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max here, as well as the all-new iPhone Fold.
But in March 2026, Barclays analyst Tim Long claimed in a research note that, while the iPhone Fold will launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max in September, it won’t be released until December. Apple has used this strategy in the past, delaying the iPhone X launch until December but keeping the iPhone 8 release in September.
While a report from Nikkei Asia claimed in early April that Apple had faced setbacks during the engineering test phase for the iPhone Fold, potentially delaying the phone even further into 2027, Gurman said on April 7 that it was still on track to launch this September.
Whenever it actually releases, it looks very likely that the iPhone Fold will at least be announced this September, even if shipments could slip to December. I’m expecting the Apple event to take place on Tuesday, 8 September or Wednesday, 9 September, where it’ll unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, alongside the new folding iPhone.
iPhone Fold price
It’s difficult to predict the price of an all-new smartphone, but there are a lot of rumours floating around, and it might not be a great sign for your wallet – the iPhone Fold could be the most expensive iPhone ever.
In early April, Gurman claimed the iPhone Fold could cost more than $2,000 (£1,500). He said that could deter many customers, but should boost the company’s average sales price. In March 2025, Ming Chi-Kuo also speculated that the iPhone Fold could cost between $2,000 and $2,500 (£1,850)
Weibo leaker Instant Digital shared the potential storage options and prices for each one in March 2026. According to the insider, the three prices for the different storage options are as follows:
- 256GB: $2,320 (£1,720)
- 512GB: $2,610 (£1,940)
- 1TB: $2,900 (£2,150)
While often correct about many things, pricing is the most difficult thing to predict when it comes to anything Apple. Annual price hikes have always been predicted for the regular iPhone range, and more often than not, they don’t come to fruition, so take those ballpark prices with a pinch of salt.
iPhone Fold design and display
As mentioned previously, Apple has been tinkering with various folding designs for a while now. One of the options was a clamshell-style folding phone. Like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip line, but according to Ming-Chi Kuo, the tech giant decided on a book-style design, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, meaning it’ll open out into a larger tablet when unfolded.
In March last year, Kuo claimed the foldable iPhone would boast a 7.8in crease-free inner display and a 5.5in outer display. That’s interesting because if Apple goes for a 5.5in display, the cover screen will be much smaller than rival foldables.
Kuo also said that it’ll have a crease-free design, a difficult feat that no mainstream phone manufacturer has quite achieved yet. The insider also stated that the hinge will combine stainless steel and titanium alloy, while the casing will use titanium alloy only.
In terms of thickness, Kuo claims it will be between 9 and 9.5mm when folded shut, and 4.5 to 4.8mm thick when unfolded like a tablet. It will, however, only have two cameras on the rear and two front-facing cameras that can be used when folded or unfolded. There reportedly won’t be any room for Face ID, however, with Apple expected to use a Touch ID side button.
In December 2025, The Information leaked more details about the iPhone Fold’s dimensions. According to the outlet, it has a 5.3in display when folded, expanding to 7.7in when unfolded. What’s most intriguing is the aspect ratio, with hints that it’ll be wider than tall. The publication claims it’ll have a 2:3 aspect ratio, expanding to 4:3 when unfolded.
In March 2026, Apple Track created a realistic-looking concept of what the iPhone Fold might look like based on the latest design leaks. The YouTube channel stated that each display will have its own Dynamic Island.
In early April 2026, insider Sonny Dickson leaked dummy pictures of what the iPhone Fold will reportedly look like when it launches in September.
Exclusive First Dummies of what the final size of the iPhone Fold, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will look like. pic.twitter.com/X9P9uBK12p
— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) April 7, 2026
According to Korean publication The Elec, the iPhone Fold will boast two OLED displays that use Samsung Display’s CoE (Color filter on Encapsulation) technology, which has been used on the Galaxy Z Fold series since 2021, which should make the displays more efficient and thinner.
iPhone Fold cameras
There isn’t a huge amount of detail about the cameras just yet, but Ming Chi-Kuo stated in 2025 that it will feature a dual lens setup, rather than a triple lens rear.
In June 2025, Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station claimed the dual camera rear setup will feature 48MP, matching the iPhone 17 Pro’s main cameras.
According to a JP Morgan industry report, seen by MacRumors, the iPhone Fold’s outer display (when folded) will feature a 24MP under-screen camera built into the inside display. This would be huge if true, given that many under-display sensors are notoriously bad in terms of picture quality.
iPhone Fold specs and battery life
There’s even less information about the iPhone Fold’s specs. According to analyst Jeff Pu, the iPhone Fold will boast Apple’s A20 chip, built on TSMC's 2nm process. It will reportedly be 15 per cent faster and 30 per cent more efficient than the A19.
In March 2026, Korean outlet The Bell claimed the iPhone Fold will feature 12GB of RAM, something supplied by Samsung
Battery life is expected to be absolutely mammoth, however. A post from a leaker on the Korean Naver blog claimed in November 2025 that it will boast a huge 5,400 to 5,800mAh battery – the biggest capacity of any iPhone ever.
Best iPhone 17 Pro contract deals
iPhone 17 Pro with 100GB data
Affordable Mobiles currently has one of the cheapest iPhone 17 Pro deals. You can get the phone with 100GB of data for £53 per month and a £39 up-front cost. The deal is with mobile network Three, meaning you get access to Three+ rewards and free wifi on the London underground.
Buy now £53, Affordablemobile.co.uk
iPhone 17 Pro Max with 25GB of data
Tesco Mobile currently has one of the best iPhone 17 Pro Max deals right now. Clubcard members can get the iPhone 17 Pro Max with 25GB of data for £49.99 per month, down from £55.99 per month. That’ll save you £216 over the course of your contract. Tesco Mobile piggybacks off O2’s network, so you’ll still get the same speeds as if you were with O2 direct.
Buy now £49.99, Tescomobile.co.uk
For more, I’ve rounded up all the rumours about the iPhone 18 Pro
