Apple is reportedly working on a foldable smartphone, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who shared details on March 5. KUO works for TF International Securities and collects information from Apple’s suppliers in Asia. He claimed that the device will have a 7.8-inch inner screen folding vertically without a visible curl along with a 5.5-inch outer screen. The phone is expected to sell between $ 2,000 and $ 2,500.
Despite the Premium Price mark, Kuo said Apple’s fanbase is likely to be deterred and that the company predicts that the collapsible phone “generates strong replacement demand” as long as the quality lives up to expectations.
In comparison, it costs a larger variant of the iPhone 16 Pro Max $ 1,199.
Foldable iPhone is rumored to come out in 2026
Foldable phones are conspicuous, but the hinged can break under load, making them more likely to need repair than a flat model. Apple’s hinge will be made of stainless steel and titanium alloy, Kuo said.
Mass production is reportedly planned for 2026, when another generation of model is potentially launched the following year.
Apple continues to expand its generative AI features and the collapsible phone is expected to be an important part of this strategy. Its larger, split-screen design could enable new AI-driven experiences, such as having an AI-Chatbot on one screen and a short open on the other, Kuo said.
See: The new MacBook Air has a price tag $ 100 less than its predecessor.
Facial -id unlikely due to design restrictions
On the other hand, KUO also suggested that Face ID is probably not working on the collapsible phone due to mechanical restrictions related to the thickness of the phone (4.5-4.8 mm when unfolded). Instead, Apple is expected to integrate Touch ID into the side button.
The device will reportedly contain a single front -facing camera that works, whether the phone is open or closed, while a rear -facing camera remains closed in the folded panels.
Apple is facing fierce competition in the folding market
Apple is entering a folding phone market already dominated by Google and Samsung. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold with its horizontal or book -like form sold for $ 1,799. Samsung makes a foldable phone (Galaxy Z Fold 6) and a Flip phone (Galaxy Z Flip 6). Meanwhile, Motorola is also hanging on its retro -cred with the 2024 RAZR line.