According to recent rumors Apple’s first foldable iPhone will be unveiled in September, but retail availability won’t follow until later this year. Analysts suggest the ‘iPhone Fold’ will launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, with deliveries possibly not starting until December.
This news comes from Barclays analyst Tim Long, who, based on supply chain sources, is talking about a shipping delay, similar to the iPhone X in 2017 that came months after the iPhone 8. The foldable iPhone would not immediately be available for pre-order or purchase, but only towards the end of the year.
iPhone Fold won’t be released until late 2026
Anyone hoping that Apple’s first foldable iPhone would be available immediately after the announcement will be disappointed. The unveiling will take place in September during the event together with the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, but the iPhone Fold can only be ordered a few months later. Barclays analyst Tim Long mentions December as a possible start date for shipments, meaning orders and deliveries won’t be possible until then.
Comparison with the past
This strategy is reminiscent of 2017, when the iPhone 8 launched in September and the iPhone This was also the case for the iPhone Xr and the iPhone 14 Plus, these models were also announced in September, but only released a few weeks to months later. This would allow Apple to build up the hype around the latest foldable smartphone without immediate availability pressure.
Reliability rumors
These are still unconfirmed rumors from supply chain circles, so take them with a grain of salt until Apple officially responds. However, it seems logical that Apple will not immediately make the iPhone Fold available. More details about specs or price are still missing from these reports.
iPhone Fold in short
Current rumors surrounding the iPhone Fold point to a late 2026 launch, with a passport/book-style foldable design including a near-invisible fold thanks to advanced hinge and panel technology. The inner screen measures approximately 7.8 inches and the outer screen measures 5.5 inches, plus optimizations in iOS for multitasking.
The new device would be equipped with Touch ID instead of Face ID, similar to the iPad Air. The casing can be made from titanium and stainless steel and shares many similarities with the iPhone Air, including a camera platform with two lenses (wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle), as well as a selfie camera on both the outside and inside.
There is speculation that Apple will name its foldable smartphone iPhone Ultra. Rumors have been circulating about the arrival of an iPhone Ultra for some time now. It was initially thought that the Ultra would eventually replace the Max, but it seems much more logical that the foldable iPhone will be named ‘iPhone Ultra’.
This is how expensive the foldable iPhone will be
According to the latest information, the iPhone Fold is expected in September 2026, with a price of approximately $ 2,400 in the United States! This would be the most expensive iPhone ever, especially in Europe, where the price is expected to be around 2,800 euros due to taxes, import duties and the Apple tax.
However, there are reports that Apple may want to market the iPhone Fold cheaper. This would make the device accessible to a wider audience, and Apple could really compete with existing foldables from other brands. However, the Fold will probably become the most expensive iPhone at that time.