
Recent rumors say Apple will not release a folding phone soon. Many reports, like one from Business Standard, say Apple may launch a folding iPhone in 2026. Apple analyst Jeff Pu talks about two folding devices being made. One of them has a clamshell design. Apple is being careful, unlike competitors like Vertu Quantum Flip. Many people in the industry still ask, โwill apple make folding phone,โ as rumors about the apple folding phone get stronger.
Key Takeaways
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Experts and leaks say Apple might release its first folding phone in 2026. The folding iPhone could have an 8-inch flexible screen. It may also have strong hinges and be water resistant. It will likely support MagSafe and wireless charging. Apple is being careful and wants to make sure the phone is high quality. They want it to last and not have problems like other brands had. The foldable phone market is growing quickly. Samsung and other companies are strong competitors. This affects how Apple designs and when they release their phone. Apple will only launch the folding iPhone when the technology is ready. They want the product to meet their high standards for new ideas and user experience.
Evidence
Leaks and Patents
There have been many rumors about the apple folding phone. Apple has filed patents for different foldable devices. Some patents show a book-style foldable iPhone. Others show a clamshell design. These designs use a screen that can bend without a crease. Apple engineers are working on strong hinges and scratch-resistant coatings. They want the foldable iphone to last long and feel sturdy.
Apple has not said anything official about a release. But leaks from the supply chain say test production could start in late 2025. Apple has also filed patents for stronger glass and metal parts. These features may help protect the screen from drops and scratches. Some rumors say the device will have a split battery for longer use and water resistance. The apple folding phone might also support wireless charging and MagSafe.
Analyst Predictions
Experts and analysts have made many guesses about the apple folding phone. They think Apple will launch its first foldable iphone in 2026. Some say it could come in 2027 if there are delays. The device may cost between $2,000 and $2,500. This would make it a luxury foldable phone. Analysts say Apple is testing both book-style and clamshell designs. The screen could be about 8 inches when open.
Note: Apple has not shared any details about the iphone flip specs or the launch date. All the information comes from rumors, analyst reports, and patent filings.
Here is a table that shows the main analyst predictions for the apple folding phone:
Aspect |
Details |
---|---|
Release Timeline |
Launch may happen in 2026; test production could start late 2025. |
Pricing |
Price may be between $2,000 and $2,500. |
Foldable Designs |
Book-style and clamshell foldable iphone models are being tested. |
Display |
8-inch flexible OLED foldable screen with less visible crease. |
Durability Features |
Strong glass, metal, water resistance, and advanced hinge. |
Battery |
Split battery design for longer use. |
Software |
iOS updates for foldable devices, multitasking, and app changes. |
Some rumors say the apple folding phone will have an outside screen for quick notifications. The device might use special OLED panels from Samsung or LG. Many experts think Apple will only release the foldable iphone when the technology is ready. Apple wants to avoid problems that happened with early foldable phones from other brands. For now, fans need to wait for more news and watch for new iphone flip rumors.
Appleโs Position
Official Statements
Apple has not talked about a folding phone yet. The company usually keeps quiet about new products. They wait until they are ready to show them. Reporters and fans have asked about foldable devices. Apple leaders have not given any answers. This is normal for Apple. The company likes to keep secrets. People think Apple wants to control how news comes out about its new ideas.
Apple staying quiet does not mean they are not interested. The company has filed many patents for foldable technology. These patents show Apple looks at new ideas before big news. Appleโs leaders do not want to promise too much. They want every new product to be very good. This careful way helps Apple keep its good name for quality and new ideas.
Approach to Foldables
Apple often waits before joining new markets. The company wants the technology to be ready for lots of people. Appleโs plan is to make technology easy and helpful. They want every device to work well with other Apple products.
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Apple likes to focus on strong product groups. The iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac are all very popular.
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Apple sells about 60 million new iPhones each year. They also sell 30 million Apple Watches, 30 million iPads, and 15 million Macs.
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Appleโs design style means it takes a long time to make new things. For example, the Mac Pro took over two and a half years to finish.
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Tim Cook leads Apple to make slow and steady changes. The company does not hurry into new things like foldables.
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Apple builds new products slowly. They want each device to be useful for people.
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Apple has limits on time and focus. Even with lots of money, the company picks what to work on.
Appleโs careful moves show a clear plan. The company studies the market and learns from others. They wait for the best time to act. Appleโs new ideas come from making things better, not from being first. This way helps Apple make products that last and work well. Many experts think Apple will only make a folding phone when it can really change things.
Will Apple Make Folding Phone?
Industry Trends
Foldable phones have changed the smartphone world a lot. Many companies now make foldable devices because people want them. The market for foldable phones was worth about $28.94 billion in 2024. Experts think it will grow to $80.26 billion by 2032. The market grows at a rate of 13.6% each year. These numbers show that new foldable devices are popular with companies and buyers.
Aspect |
Statistic / Trend |
Impact on Appleโs Decisions |
---|---|---|
Market Size (2024) |
$28.94 billion |
High demand justifies investment in foldables |
Forecast (2032) |
$80.26 billion |
Rapid growth encourages innovation |
CAGR (2025-2032) |
13.6% |
Supports long-term product planning |
Asia-Pacific Growth |
India: 468M (2017) to 859M (2022) smartphone users |
Emerging markets are key for new launches |
Tech Trends |
Flexible OLED, 5G, advanced hinges |
Drives design and feature choices |
Pricing Challenges |
High costs (e.g., Huawei tri-fold at $2,800) |
Apple must balance innovation and affordability |
Distribution Channels |
E-commerce growth |
Online sales shape marketing and education efforts |
Sustainability |
EU right-to-repair laws |
Pushes for repairable, sustainable designs |
Major Players |
Samsung, Huawei, Motorola, Xiaomi, Oppo, OnePlus |
Competition shapes innovation priorities |
Apple looks at these trends before making new products. North America is quick to try new technology. Europe wants more eco-friendly phones because of new rules. Asia-Pacific, like China and India, has more people using smartphones every year. These places are good for launching a foldable iphone.
Research shows that a few companies make most folding phone hinges. The top five makers have about 87% of the money in 2024. Foldable inward and outward phones are 65.4% of the market. This means Apple must pick its suppliers and designs carefully.
People now like foldable phones more than before. In 2023, the market for foldable phones was $27.79 billion. Experts say it could reach $74.02 billion by 2030. Flip phones made up 76.9% of the money in 2023. Most sales still happen in stores, but online sales are growing fast. Apple watches these facts to decide when to sell a foldable iphone.
Note: Apple is already seen as a big name in foldable phones, even without a product. This means many people think Apple will join the foldable phone trend soon.
Competitor Models
Companies like Samsung and Vertu have changed the foldable phone market. Samsung is the leader with about 66.4% to 68% of the market in 2023. The company sold over 12.5 million foldable phones that year. Samsungโs Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip are known for being strong and new. Huawei is getting more of the market and may reach almost 30% in 2024. Motorola and Xiaomi also make new foldable phones.
Brand |
2023 Market Share |
2024 Forecast |
Units Shipped (2023) |
Notable Models |
---|---|---|---|---|
Samsung |
66.4% – 68% |
~60.4% |
12.5 million+ |
Galaxy Z Fold, Z Flip |
Huawei |
11.9% – 14% |
19.8% – 30% |
2.5 million |
Mate X, Mate Xs |
Motorola |
~6% |
~6% |
1 million+ |
Razr 40 series |
Xiaomi |
4% – 5.4% |
~5.4% |
N/A |
MIX Fold |
Others |
4% – 16.4% |
~14.5% |
N/A |
Oppo Find N, Honor Magic V |
Vertu does things differently. The company makes luxury foldable phones. Vertuโs Quantum Flip and Ironflip use gold and leather. These phones have special features and can be customized. Vertu sells to rich people who want something unique. The company mixes new ideas with high prices and small numbers.
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Samsung works to make foldable phones better for everyone. The company makes stronger hinges and better software each year.
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Vertu cares about making fancy and rare phones. The company uses special materials and lets buyers choose options.
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Apple learns from both companies. Apple wants its foldable iphone to be new, high quality, and easy to use.
What other companies do helps Apple make choices. Samsungโs big sales show people want foldable phones. Vertuโs expensive models show some people pay more for special designs. Apple must think about both regular buyers and those who want something fancy.
Apple usually waits until the technology is ready. The company learns from what others do right and wrong. Apple will only sell a foldable iphone if it is strong, easy to use, and new. The company also looks at what buyers want and how much phones cost. High costs and fast changes in technology affect when Apple will make folding phone.
If Apple makes a foldable phone, it could change the whole market. Appleโs focus on new ideas and quality may set new rules for foldable phones. Many experts think Apple will make folding phone when the time is right, using what it learns from Samsung, Vertu, and others.
iPhone Flip Release Date

Timeline Expectations
Experts think the iPhone Flip will come out in 2026. Jeff Pu, an analyst, says it could launch that year. The Information and Ming-Chi Kuo also say 2026 or maybe 2027. Appleโs Vision Pro team now works on the foldable iPhone. This makes the 2026 date more likely. Apple has filed patents for foldable devices since 2011. These patents show Apple has wanted this for a long time. The patents have many ideas and features. But Apple has not made a foldable phone yet.
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Jeff Pu thinks it will launch in 2026.
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Ming-Chi Kuo and The Information say 2026 or 2027.
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The Vision Pro team is helping with the project.
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Patents from 2011 to 2020 show Apple keeps working on it.
Apple wants to make a thin and strong foldable phone. The company checks how thick the phone is and how big the screen is. They want to be as good as or better than other brands. All this work supports the idea of a 2026 release for the iPhone Flip.
Launch Factors
Many things could change when the foldable iPhone comes out. Apple plans to start making it in late 2025. The launch will likely happen in fall 2026. Apple is still working on important parts like the hinge. The foldable screen is 7.8 inches when open and 5.5 inches when closed. Samsung Display makes the screen. Apple wants the phone to be thin and have a crease you can barely see. The company might use under-display cameras and Touch ID instead of Face ID.
How many people want the phone also matters. Apple plans to order 15 to 20 million phones. This is enough for two or three years of sales. The iPhone Flip may cost $2,000 to $2,500. This high price means not everyone will buy it. IDC says 100 million foldable phones will ship by 2027. Apple is joining late so it can make the phone better. This could help Apple make a big splash. But if there are problems or less demand, the launch could move to 2027.
Note: Apple will only release the phone when it is sure the product is very good.
Apple probably will not make a folding phone very soon. Most experts think the first apple folding phone will come in 2026. Reports, patents, and expert guesses all say this date. People should only believe trusted sources for news about the apple folding phone. New leaks or stories might change what we know. Apple likes to wait and make products better before selling them. Vertu sells to rich people who want fancy phones. Keep watching for more updates as things change in the market.
FAQ
What is the expected price of the Apple folding phone?
Analysts think the Apple folding phone will cost $2,000 to $2,500. This makes it a luxury smartphone. Apple often charges more for new technology.
Will the Apple folding phone support MagSafe and wireless charging?
Most reports say the Apple folding phone will work with MagSafe and wireless charging. Apple wants its devices to be simple and work with old accessories.
How will the Apple folding phone compare to Samsungโs foldables?
Apple wants the phone to be strong and easy to use. Samsung is the leader with tough hinges and bendy screens. Apple might have better software and a nicer look.
What screen size can users expect from the Apple folding phone?
Experts think the Apple folding phone will have an 8-inch flexible OLED screen when open. When closed, it may be about 5.5 inches, so it fits in your pocket.
Has Apple confirmed the release date for its folding phone?
Apple has not said when the phone will come out. Most experts think it could launch in 2026. Apple waits until the phone is ready and meets its high standards.