Apple Inc.’s first foldable iPhone is set to arrive during the company’s usual iPhone launch period later this year, people with knowledge of the matter said, dismissing concerns about major manufacturing hurdles.
The company is scheduled to introduce a foldable model alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in September, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans have not been announced. iPhones typically hit store shelves a week after they’re unveiled.
A report from Nikkei Asia on Tuesday raised concerns about the delay. Shares of Apple fell as much as 5.1% after the news outlet said the company was facing challenges in the engineering testing phase of the phone. According to Nikkei Asia, this threatens to push back production and shipment schedules.
While the complexity of the new displays and materials could limit initial supplies for several weeks, Apple is currently working on a plan to put the devices on sale at the same time or shortly thereafter — including new non-foldable models, the people said.
Still, the release is six months away and production hasn’t ramped up yet. This means that time is not final. A spokesman for the Cupertino, California-based company declined to comment.
iPhone Fold: new form factor
The foldable iPhone is a major initiative for Apple, which is looking to expand the iPhone line with new designs, expensive models and advanced features. It aims to better compete with Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and China-based smartphone makers, which have been offering foldable options for years.
For Apple, the foldable iPhone is the second phase of a three-year plan to reinvent the look and feel of its flagship devices. Last year, the company introduced iPhone Pro and Pro Max models and a slimmer version called iPhone Air. It is also working on a separate iPhone revamp in 2027 to mark the two-decade anniversary of the product.
The iPhone road map has been a priority for Apple management — including hardware chief John Ternes, who Bloomberg News reports is a top contender to eventually replace CEO Tim Cook.
foldable iPhone: what to expect
The foldable iPhone will be similar to competing products – with a few key selling points. Apple engineers believe they have solved the problems of screen quality and overall durability – two long-standing flaws of this class of phones. This includes making the crease of the display less visible when it is unfolded.
The iPhone will include a wide display orientation when opened in landscape view, making it more effective for watching videos and gaming than narrow foldable phones available on the market today. Apple is planning to update its iOS operating system so that iPhone apps look more like iPad apps inside the new device.
Meanwhile, the price of the product is expected to cross the $2,000 threshold. While this may discourage some consumers, it should increase Apple’s average selling price and help drive revenue growth for the company.
At the same time, Apple is making changes to the annual release schedule of the iPhone. Bloomberg News reported that its next entry-level model will be pushed back to spring 2027. The company also plans to launch a new iPhone Air and a low-budget iPhone 18e at that time. It released the iPhone 17e last month.