Apple to Launch First Foldable iPhone Next Year at Premium Price

Apple’s First Foldable iPhone: A New Era in Smartphone Design

Apple, one of the most influential tech companies globally, has long been known for its sleek and innovative designs. However, it has remained one of the few major players yet to enter the foldable smartphone market. This could soon change as reports suggest that Apple is preparing to launch its first foldable device.

According to a report from an analyst at JP Morgan, Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone in September 2026. If this timeline holds, the device may be part of the iPhone 18 lineup, following Apple’s traditional naming convention. The analyst, Samik Chatterjee, noted that this move would place Apple in the same category as other industry leaders such as Samsung, Huawei, and Motorola.

The potential foldable iPhone is rumored to feature a book-style design similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series. This design would allow users to open the device like a book, offering a larger internal display while maintaining a compact form when closed. The device is expected to have a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer screen, making it slightly smaller than the latest Galaxy Z Fold 7, which features an 8-inch inner display and a 6.5-inch outer screen.

One of the main challenges with foldable devices is the visible crease that appears on the screen after repeated folding. Samsung’s foldables, for example, often suffer from this issue. However, Apple’s version is said to be crease-free, although the exact technology behind this improvement remains unclear. This could potentially set the new iPhone apart from its competitors and offer a more seamless user experience.

In terms of pricing, the foldable iPhone is expected to be Apple’s most expensive smartphone yet. Analysts predict that it could retail for around $1,999, which is approximately $1,000 more than the current iPhone 16 Pro. This price point would make it significantly pricier than Apple’s current top-tier models, such as the 1TB version of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is priced at $1,599. However, it would be comparable to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, which ranges between $1,999 and $2,419 depending on storage capacity.

The potential revenue generated by the foldable iPhone is also expected to be substantial. Mr. Chatterjee predicts that the device could generate up to $65 billion in revenue for Apple, leading to a ‘high-single-digit’ earnings boost over the medium term. This suggests that the foldable iPhone could become a significant contributor to Apple’s financial performance.

In terms of production volumes, analysts expect initial shipments to start in the ‘low teens’ of millions when the phone is released in 2027. By 2029, these numbers are expected to rise to the ‘mid-40s of millions,’ indicating a strong long-term demand for the product.

There have been previous attempts to visualize what the foldable iPhone might look like. In 2022, Chinese YouTubers created a prototype called “iPhone V,” which featured a central hinge and a design reminiscent of Apple’s iconic branding. This prototype was built using an iPhone X and the folding mechanism from Motorola’s Razr, showcasing the creativity and innovation that could be involved in developing a foldable iPhone.

While Apple has not officially commented on these reports, the growing speculation highlights the company’s potential shift into the foldable smartphone market. As the tech landscape continues to evolve, Apple’s entry into this space could redefine the future of mobile devices and set new standards for innovation and design.

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