Apple’s Foldable iPhone: What We Know So Far

Apple is inching closer to launching its first-ever foldable iPhone, with expectations set for a 2026 release, and surprisingly ambitious production goals. If you’ve been following Apple’s moves over the past year, you probably already know that the tech giant has been planning to enter the foldable market.

However, if you’re not up to speed with insider rumors from the likes of Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo, many details remain a mystery, especially when it comes to specs, features, and pricing.

So, what’s the latest news on this highly anticipated foldable device? Kuo, always a reliable source for tech predictions, recently shared some interesting insights, revealing Apple’s target production volume for the first iPhone Fold: between 15 and 20 million units. However, before you get too excited, this goal is set for the entire product lifecycle of 2-3 years. That means, while this figure may sound modest compared to typical iPhone releases, it’s still likely to outperform the combined sales of Samsung’s foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Fold 8 over a similar timeframe.

For perspective, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 sold under 2.5 million units during its first six months of availability, which means that Apple’s 15 to 20 million goal is actually quite realistic, especially given the rumored high price point. But, of course, the real question is whether Samsung can manufacture enough of the foldable screens Apple requires to meet its quality standards. The two companies are reportedly collaborating on this project, and while Samsung is expected to produce around 7-8 million ultra-high-quality panels for the first-gen iPhone Fold, early supply may still be constrained.

But even with all these plans in motion, one crucial detail remains: everything is still subject to change. Kuo cautioned that Apple’s foldable iPhone plans are still not finalized, and many aspects of the device, including its price, specs, and release schedule, may shift as production nears. While a 2026 launch with millions of units seems more likely than ever, nothing is guaranteed yet.

Expect the flood of rumors to intensify in late 2025, especially as the official assembly phase kicks off in Q3 or Q4 of that year. It’s clear Apple is keen to make a bold entry into the foldable market, but with several factors still up in the air, only time will tell how this ambitious project will unfold.