Apple (AAPL) is widely expected to release a foldable version of the iPhone in 2026, but TF International Securities’ analyst Ming-Chi Ku believes development of the device is behind expectations.
“Development of the foldable iPhone is behind earlier expectations, but the product is still expected to announce in 2H26,” Kuo wrote in a research note on his website. “Due to early-stage yield and ramp-up challenges, smooth shipments may not occur until 2027. With limited supply and expected strong demand, the foldable iPhone could be facing shortages until at least the end of 2026.”
Kuo has previously said that the complexity of the device is likely to limit volume production until 2027. In March, he predicted that shipments for 2026 would only be between 3M and 5M, but by 2027, shipments could reach as high as 20M.
The foldable iPhone is expected to have ultra-thin glass, Kuo said in September. Ultra-thin glass is “highly sensitive” to cracks on the edges, as well as particles and stress, making it harder to create than conventional smartphone glass. It’s also more expensive, with costs likely between two and four times higher than conventional glass, Kuo added.
Price and capabilities
The price of a foldable iPhone is expected to be significantly more than the current version of the iPhone, with retail prices expected to top $2,000, Kuo said previously.
“Leveraging the iPhone’s status as a must-have device and Apple’s loyal fanbase, it’s expected to generate strong replacement demand — despite the premium price — provided quality meets expectations,” he added in the past.
A foldable iPhone could also have better artificial intelligence integration, thanks to a larger screen. It could make chatting with a chatbot about travel plans and looking at a full view map simultaneously an activity that could occur, something that can’t currently happen because of screen size limitations.
The device is also expected to feature the return of Touch ID, as Face ID may not be available due to thickness and internal space constraints. A foldable iPhone could also look like a book, with a 7.8-inch crease-free inner display and roughly a 5.5-inch outer display. It may also have a dual-lens setup, with a hinge made of stainless steel and titanium alloy and incorporate high-density battery cells, Kuo posited.
A foldable iPhone — of which Apple is said to be working on test units — is expected to be launched in the fall of 2026, alongside Pro versions of the iPhone.