Foldable iPhone Set to Launch in 2026 Most Likely Inspired by Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 Air

Highlights

• Apple is actively working on a foldable iPhone with a book-style fold.
• It will reportedly inspired by the ultra-thin 5.5mm design of the iPhone 17 Air.
• The foldable iPhone is expected to cost around $2,000, featuring a 5.5″ outer display and a 7.8″ inner display for a tablet-like experience.
• It will most likely be part of the iPhone 18 lineup and availability will be limited.

Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. While rumours about a foldable iPhone have been circulating for years, Gurman confirms that Apple is actively working on it. Unlike a clamshell-style foldable, this device will have a book-style fold, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold.

Apple’s foldable iPhone will borrow key technologies from the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, which is set to be one of Apple’s thinnest products ever, measuring just 5.5mm thick.

The iPhone 17 Air will make some compromises, particularly with speakers and cameras, but will still deliver the full iPhone experience, including solid battery life.

Apple is using this ultra-thin design as a testbed to see how many components can fit in a slimmer form factor, an essential step toward making a foldable iPhone.

Apple’s Foldable iPhone – What We Know So Far?

• Expected Price: Around $2,000
• Release Year: 2026 (part of the iPhone 18 lineup)
• Outer Display: 5.5 inches
• Inner Display: 7.8 inches (similar to an iPad mini)
• Availability: Limited at first as production ramps up

While details are still scarce, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously reported that the foldable iPhone will feature a compact outer display and a larger inner screen, offering a tablet-like experience.

Revealing details in their blog, Kuo wrote, “The foldable iPhone will have a book-style design, featuring an approximately 7.8-inch crease-free inner display and an approximately 5.5-inch outer display.”

According to the same blog post, it was also disclosed that the “final specs will be locked in 2Q25, with the official project kickoff in 3Q25 and mass production slated for 4Q26.”

With Apple’s focus on ultra-thin designs and foldable tech, 2026 could be a major turning point for iPhones.

FAQs

Q1. When will Apple’s first foldable iPhone be released?

Answer. Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to launch in 2026 as part of the iPhone 18 lineup.

Q2. What are the expected specifications of the foldable iPhone?

Answer. The foldable iPhone is rumoured to feature a 5.5″ outer display, a 7.8″ inner display, and a book-style fold, with an estimated price of around $2,000.

Q3. What design inspiration does the foldable iPhone take from the iPhone 17 Air?

Answer. The foldable iPhone is inspired by the ultra-thin 5.5mm design of the iPhone 17 Air, which serves as a testbed for fitting components into a slimmer form factor.

Also Read: Apple’s First Foldable iPhone to Have Crease-Free Display, No Face ID, and a $2000 Price Tag

Also Read: Leaked iPhone 17 Air Case Shows a New Camera Bar Design and Control Button