iPhone Fold: How thin and expensive will Apple's foldable be?

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Rumors about a foldable iPhone have been circulating for years. Now, the evidence is mounting. Analysts and leakers are providing new details about the device's potential price, design, and key technical specifications. A rough timeframe for the market launch has also been established. This overview shows what is currently known about the iPhone Fold.

Samsung has been building foldable smartphones since 2019. The seventh generation, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, is now on the market. Apple, on the other hand, is taking its time. However, the first foldable iPhone will apparently be a truly high-end product. New information from analysts and the supply chain points to a device that is technically ambitious, expensive, and aimed at the premium segment. Although many details are still unconfirmed, a clearer picture is emerging.

Price: The iPhone Fold will be the most expensive iPhone ever

According to analysts at the investment bank UBS , the foldable iPhone will cost between $1,800 and $2,000 in the US. This is significantly higher than the price of current iPhone models. By comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 in the US. Even a MacBook Pro starts at $1,599, which is lower than the expected iPhone Fold. This would put Apple's iPhone Fold in direct competition with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7, which currently costs $1,999.99. In terms of price, Apple is therefore at the top of the list – in a market that already targets affluent buyers. The device will therefore not be available in Germany for less than €2,000.

Thickness: Thin, but not thin enough for the top spot

A new leak on the Chinese platform Weibo provides new information about the device's height. The account Instant Digital, which has published accurate Apple leaks in the past, says it will be at least 4.8 millimeters thick when unfolded. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had previously even suggested a thickness of just 4.5 millimeters. If the new value turns out to be correct, the device would be slightly thicker than originally assumed. A comparison with the competition is striking: the Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures just 4.2 millimeters when unfolded. This would put Apple slightly behind Samsung in terms of height. However, given that Samsung has several years of development head start in this area, this would not be surprising.

Technical data: Two displays, new controls and Touch ID

The current information on the iPhone Fold's technical specifications comes primarily from Ming-Chi Kuo. According to Kuo, the device will feature two displays: a foldable 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch external display. Unlike current iPhone models, the Fold will forgo Face ID. Instead, a Touch ID sensor is planned for the power button. The hardware will be complemented by two rear cameras and a front camera. According to Kuo, particular attention will be paid to a "crease-free" design of the main display, which is intended to distinguish it from previous foldables.

Market launch: Start in 2026 at the earliest

There are also further statements regarding the planned market launch. Ming-Chi Kuo expects production to begin in the second half of 2026. This means the iPhone Fold could be released by the end of 2026. An earlier release is considered unlikely. This means Apple would enter the foldable market several years after its competitors – with a device that is said to be particularly technologically advanced for this purpose.

Lots of technology, high price – that’s what users expect from the iPhone Fold

The iPhone Fold will be expensive and more technically sophisticated than many expected. Priced between $1,800 and $2,000, it would be the most expensive iPhone yet. The reported thickness is at least 4.8 millimeters, putting Apple slightly behind Samsung. Technically, the device is expected to feature two displays, a fold-free interior panel, Touch ID, and a new user interface. According to current estimates, the market launch is expected in late 2026. Until then, it remains a matter of leaks and speculation – but the picture of the iPhone Fold is becoming increasingly concrete. (Photo by sabelskaya / Bigstockphoto)