Apple's Foldable iPhone Is Still on Track for September — And It'll Cost Over $2,000
Despite recent reports suggesting production delays could push Apple's foldable iPhone into 2027, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman is reporting that the device remains on track for its September 2026 debut. The foldable iPhone will be announced alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max during Apple's annual fall event.
This is the clearest confirmation yet that Apple is finally entering the foldable phone market — years after Samsung, Huawei, and a wave of Chinese manufacturers proved the form factor has legs.
What We Know About the Foldable iPhone
According to multiple reports, here's what Apple's first foldable will look like:
- Book-style form factor — the device opens horizontally to reveal a larger internal display, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series
- Priced above $2,000 — making it Apple's most expensive iPhone ever
- Improved crease visibility — Apple has reportedly resolved one of the biggest complaints about existing foldables, making the crease far less noticeable when unfolded
- Better screen quality and durability — addressing the fragility concerns that have plagued the foldable category
- Limited initial supply — the complexity of the new display and materials may constrain availability for several weeks after launch
Rebutting the Delay Reports
Earlier this week, Nikkei Asia reported that challenges during the phone's engineering test phase could potentially delay the launch. Gurman's report directly contradicts this, stating that Apple is currently operating with a plan to put the device on sale "around the same time — or very soon after" the non-foldable iPhone 18 models.
That said, the release is still six months away and mass production hasn't ramped up yet, so the timing isn't completely locked in. Apple has been known to delay products at the last minute if quality standards aren't met.
Apple's Late Entry Into Foldables
Samsung launched its first Galaxy Fold in 2019, giving it a seven-year head start in the foldable market. Chinese manufacturers like Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo have all released multiple generations of foldable phones. Apple's late arrival isn't unusual for the company — it was also late to large-screen phones, stylus support, and wireless charging — but it does mean the foldable iPhone needs to be significantly better than existing options to justify the premium price.
The $2,000+ price tag will put it in ultra-premium territory, competing not just with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold but also with high-end devices from Huawei and Honor that have been pushing the boundaries of foldable design.
What This Means for the iPhone 18 Lineup
The September 2026 event is shaping up to be one of Apple's biggest ever. Alongside the foldable, we're expecting:
- iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max — the standard flagship upgrades
- Apple Intelligence 2.0 — expanded AI capabilities across the lineup
- A20 Pro chip — built on TSMC's latest process node
If Apple can deliver a foldable that genuinely solves the crease and durability problems while maintaining the iPhone's signature polish, it could reshape the high-end smartphone market overnight. But at over $2,000, it'll need to prove that folding is worth the premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Apple foldable iPhone launch?
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the Apple foldable iPhone is on track to launch in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. However, the timing isn't final as mass production hasn't started yet.
How much will the foldable iPhone cost?
The foldable iPhone is expected to be priced above $2,000, making it the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever released.
What design will the Apple foldable iPhone use?
The foldable iPhone will use a book-style form factor that opens horizontally to reveal a larger internal display, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series. Apple has reportedly improved crease visibility and screen durability compared to existing foldables.
Will the foldable iPhone be available immediately at launch?
Initial supply may be limited for several weeks after launch due to the complexity of the display and materials. Apple aims to launch it around the same time as or shortly after the iPhone 18 Pro models.