Is it even worth getting excited about Apple’s upcoming foldable phone? The tech giant might finally be gearing up to join the foldable game, with reports suggesting that Apple could unveil its first foldable iPhone as soon as late 2026. That would put Apple a full seven years behind Samsung’s original Galaxy Fold, which hit the market back in 2019, and nearly four years behind the more recent, second-generation foldables that have already raised the bar for the industry.
So, should we even care about Apple’s late arrival?
Samsung has already perfected the foldable. It’s hard to ignore how far the company has come since the first iteration of the Galaxy Fold. The latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 is not just thinner and lighter than its predecessors, it’s the thinnest and lightest book-style foldable available today. With a 215g weight and 8.9mm thickness when folded, it rivals other top models like the Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5. But it’s not just about being slim and light – Samsung has fixed nearly all of the major complaints that plagued earlier foldables. The 6.5-inch cover screen now looks and feels just like a traditional smartphone display. And the 8-inch main screen is brighter, smoother, and uses a titanium lattice to minimize the infamous crease. In fact, the crease is barely visible now, something only brands like Oppo and Huawei have previously managed to do.
Beyond design, the Z Fold 7 comes with cutting-edge specs, like a 200 MP camera (borrowed from the Galaxy S25 Ultra), the refined One UI 8 software, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip – making the Fold 7 feel like the perfect foldable phone Samsung always intended to make.
Apple’s approach to new tech is often deliberate. Unlike companies like Samsung, Huawei, and Oppo, which have experimented and iterated over the years, Apple is known for taking its time to perfect a product before releasing it. While these other brands have already been perfecting foldable tech, Apple is reportedly working on its own approach behind closed doors. The iPhone Fold, expected to debut in late 2026, will reportedly feature a sleek book-style design, with a 5.5-inch cover screen and a 7.8-inch inner display. But Apple’s standout feature could be a game-changing new hinge design, utilizing liquid metal and a flexible internal plate to create a foldable display without the visible crease. If this pans out, Apple could deliver the first truly seamless foldable phone.
However, the problem is that Samsung and others have already solved most of the major foldable issues. Devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Oppo Find N5, and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold have addressed past problems like fragility, awkward user interfaces, and unreliable hinges. Samsung’s Fold 7 is not just a technical marvel, it’s an easy-to-use device with a refined, multitasking-ready software environment. And with the Snapdragon 8 Elite under the hood, its performance is stellar, despite the ultra-thin form factor. So, while Apple may have a shiny new design, it’s entering an already well-matured market.
That being said, Apple still has room to differentiate its foldable. The company could offer an experience that ties in perfectly with its existing ecosystem. iPhone Fold will likely run iOS with some iPadOS-style multitasking features, such as Split View and Stage Manager, which could provide a truly fluid tablet-like experience. Plus, Apple has the advantage of its tight integration with apps – a problem Samsung’s foldables still struggle with. Many apps still don’t fully support the larger screen sizes or transition smoothly between folded and unfolded states. But Apple, with its unique control over iOS and iPadOS, could solve this problem from day one, delivering a smoother and more polished experience.
Another key advantage for Apple would be its software. No bloatware, no ads, just a seamless, cohesive environment – something Android foldables still can’t match. And of course, there’s the “Apple factor”: the brand’s iconic design, premium materials, and user loyalty could easily convince many iPhone users to give foldable phones a try.
But is it too late? While foldables are still considered niche devices, they’ve come a long way in a short time. Apple’s delay may have cost it a lead, but the opportunity isn’t entirely gone. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 has finally delivered the refined foldable experience many have been waiting for, but Apple could still win over its loyal fans by offering a device that truly stands out. However, if it’s just another “me-too” product, then it may not resonate with the market as strongly as Apple hopes.
Ultimately, Apple’s challenge isn’t about whether foldables will catch on, but how it can make the iPhone Fold more than just a latecomer. It needs to offer something meaningful, and fresh, to justify its entry into this increasingly crowded market.