Notable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Apple’s foldable iPhone could be launched by late 2026, carrying a price tag of over $2000. This first foldable iPhone is expected to be a luxury offering, complementing Apple’s existing lower-priced models. CEO Tim Cook has expressed that “there’s a lot of innovation left on the smartphone.” As speculation regarding the long-awaited foldable iPhone intensifies, the device appears to be positioned as an expensive and high-end release.
It’s essential to clarify that Apple has yet to confirm its plans for a foldable iPhone. Nevertheless, Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities, released a note detailing the rumored design of this foldable device. Known for his accurate predictions regarding Apple and its supply chain, Kuo described the ambitious project as a “top-tier iPhone” featuring a “crease-free inner display” and an estimated retail price exceeding $2000. He also indicated that mass production of the device could commence in the last quarter of 2026.
This potential price point would surpass that of any previous iPhone models as well as many MacBook iterations. However, Kuo mentioned that the iPhone’s prestigious “must-have” status would likely stimulate strong demand for a premium product, presuming its quality meets consumer expectations. Currently, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is Apple’s most expensive smartphone, starting at $1199. “A phone with such a high price point affords Apple a true higher-end luxury offering to balance out the push on lower-priced alternatives like the iPhone 16e,” noted Dipanjan Chatterjee, a Forrester analyst, in comments to Business Insider.
Meanwhile, Apple is grappling with stiff competition in the smartphone arena, as Chinese manufacturers release lower-cost alternatives and high-tier models featuring innovative designs, like Huawei’s tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XT.
Nonetheless, it’s vital to recognize that Apple might alter its strategies and opt not to release such a device. The company is known to allocate substantial resources to ambitious projects that are sometimes ultimately discontinued. The tech community was abuzz with speculation regarding an Apple Car for several years until reports surfaced about the project’s cancellation. “I definitely believe it’s under development. I’m less sure it’ll ever see the light of day,” said Morningstar analyst William Kerwin regarding the foldable iPhone.
Kuo pointed out that the foldable iPhone could reintroduce Touch ID, potentially replacing Face ID, with the button situated on the device’s side. He also suggested it would feature a “book-style design” with a 7.8-inch inner display and integrate a “crease-free” display technology, a feat that other manufacturers like Samsung are also striving for.
Apple did not respond promptly to a request for comments from Business Insider. While both Bloomberg and The Information have reported on Apple’s intentions to develop foldable-screen devices, Kuo’s anticipated timeline should be approached cautiously. For instance, a note from Kuo in 2023 mentioned that foldable iPads would be available in 2024, a prediction that has yet to come to fruition.
Introducing a foldable iPhone, especially in a competitive market where companies like Samsung and Huawei have already made strides, represents a “significant gamble” that could lead to lower demand, akin to the $3500 Vision Pro, warned Jacob Bourne, an analyst at BI sister company EMARKETER. “Apple’s better bet might be to concentrate on other emerging technologies rather than pursuing a form factor that may not sustain its appeal in the long run,” Bourne advised.
Amidst this speculation, rumors of smart glasses, AI-driven home devices, and robotics have circulated around Apple in 2024. Last year, Apple was perceived as late to the artificial intelligence narrative, launching Apple Intelligence months, if not years, behind similar offerings from competitors. During the fiscal first-quarter 2025 earnings call, CEO Tim Cook expressed optimism about Apple’s product pipeline. When queried about the future form factors of the iPhone and potential areas for innovation, Cook refrained from providing specific details but suggested that exciting developments are on the horizon. “I think there’s a lot of innovation left on the smartphone,” he concluded.
