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There has been speculation for years about whether and when Apple will launch a foldable iPhone. While competitors such as Samsung, Huawei and Google already offer devices with foldable displays, Apple has so far held back. But according to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, that will soon change. He expects Apple to present its first foldable iPhone in late 2026 or early 2027. It will have a book-style design and cost more than $2,000.
Apple is known for taking its time with new technologies and only bringing a product to market when it is fully developed. This will also be the case with the first foldable iPhone. According to Kuo, Apple is working on a device with a large foldable display on the inside and a separate screen on the outside. The aim is to offer a particularly high-quality and durable solution. Development is nearing completion and the technical specifications are to be finalized in the second quarter of 2025. Production is scheduled to start at the end of 2026. In addition to the design, there are also initial details on the hardware, the camera and special functions. One striking thing is that Apple will not use Face ID in this model. Instead, a Touch ID solution is apparently being used in the side button.
Design and Display
According to Kuo, the foldable iPhone will have a book-like format. This means the device can be unfolded like a book to reveal a large display on the inside. The main screen is expected to have a diagonal measurement of 7.8 inches. Additionally, there will be a 5.5-inch display on the outside, which can be used for quick interactions when the device is closed. A major problem with previous foldable smartphones is the visible crease inside the screen. Apple is said to have developed a solution to enable a "crease-free" display. Exactly how this works is not yet known. If Apple has found a truly convincing technology, the company could significantly differentiate itself from the competition.
Housing and materials
The casing of the foldable iPhone will be made of a titanium alloy. This should ensure high stability without making the device unnecessarily heavy. The hinge should also be particularly high-quality and made from a combination of stainless steel and titanium. Overall, the device will be only 4.5 to 4.8 millimeters thin when opened. When folded, the thickness should be between 9 and 9.5 millimeters. This would make it one of the thinnest foldable smartphones on the market.
Camera and authentication
The foldable iPhone will be equipped with a dual camera on the back. There is also a front camera that can be used both when the device is open and closed. There are no further details about the cameras yet, but it can be assumed that Apple is relying on a similar quality to that of the current iPhones. There is a big change in authentication. According to Kuo, Apple is doing away with Face ID and instead relies on a Touch ID sensor in the side button. The reason for this is to save space. Face ID sensors require a relatively large amount of space in the housing, and with a foldable device, every millimeter is crucial.
Artificial Intelligence and Multitasking
Apple wants to position the foldable iPhone as a "real AI-controlled phone". The larger display should make it possible to use several apps at the same time and integrate functions supported by artificial intelligence. Concrete details are not yet known. However, it is conceivable that Apple will develop a special user interface for the larger display with iOS.
Price and market launch
The price of the foldable iPhone will be high. Kuo expects the device to cost at least $2,000, possibly even $2,500 or more. This means that the model is primarily aimed at technology enthusiasts and Apple fans who are willing to dig deep into their pockets for a premium product. Development of the device is already underway, and Apple plans to set the technical specifications by mid-2025. Mass production is scheduled to start in late 2026, so a market launch in late 2026 or early 2027 is realistic. Apple is also already planning a second generation of the foldable iPhone, which could appear about a year later.
Apple's foldable iPhone: luxury, innovation and a bold decision
Apple is apparently working hard on its first foldable iPhone. The device is supposed to impress with a high-quality design, a "wrinkle-free" display and a combination of titanium and stainless steel. At the same time, there are some unusual decisions, such as foregoing Face ID in favor of Touch ID. With a price of over $2,000, the foldable iPhone will not be a device for the mass market, but a premium product for technology fans. It remains to be seen whether Apple can redefine the market for foldable smartphones with this concept. The competition is already strong, but Apple has often proven in the past that it can enter late but with a mature product. Anyone who has been waiting for a foldable iPhone could soon be looking forward to a real high-end device. (Photo by artmagination / Bigstockphoto)
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