A bevy of reports have pinned the launch of the foldable iPhone to happen in 2026, with Apple likely making an unveiling by the end of the year as it looks to vet various suppliers that will provide it with the necessary number of components. The book-style foldable handset has once again been mentioned in the latest update, which claims that the device will share many technologies with Apple’s upcoming ultra-thin flagship, the iPhone 17 Air. As for what those technologies are, we may have a hunch, which we will talk about in-depth below.
No specifics were mentioned on how similar technologies will arrive to the foldable iPhone, but like the iPhone 17 Air, it could feature a thinner chassis and a custom 5G modem
The foldable iPhone is expected to be available in limited quantities, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has mentioned the details in his latest ‘Power On’ newsletter. Instead of a clamshell design, Gurman mentions that the aesthetics will be similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6, with previous specification details stating that the outer display will measure 5.49 inches, with the primary panel sporting a 7.74-inch screen. While Gurman did not mention the official name of the smartphone, on a podcast, he made a guess that Apple’s first foldable iPhone could be called the ‘iPhone Ultra.’
As for the technologies that will be shared with the iPhone 17 Air, the details have been kept in the dark, but we strongly believe that the sleek form factor will be employed on the foldable iPhone, not to mention the inclusion of a custom 5G modem. Since Apple has been reported by TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo to price its foldable iPhone in the $2,000 and $2,500 range, the company will resort to using in-house parts to reduce its component costs.
Additionally, the power efficiency of the C1 running in the iPhone 16e allows it to flaunt the best battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone, suggesting that the C2 modem that is in the testing phase could be even better in this regard. As for the launch, the foldable iPhone is said to arrive in 2026, but it could be available in limited quantities. Gurman states that availability will improve with time, but a scarcity of units could contribute to the high price. Assuming there are other details we missed, we will ensure that our readers are updated shortly, so stay tuned.
