Apple is preparing to make a grand entry in foldable smartphone segment. The brand is planning to launch its first-ever foldable iPhone, i.e., the iPhone 18 Fold or iPhone Ultra on September 9, 2026 and its Apple’s September event. The company has not officially confirmed anything about its foldable iPhone, including its launch, name, specs or prices.
However, several reports and leaks suggest that Apple may launch a premium foldable phone along with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
If you want to know more about Apple’s foldable phone, then read this post for all the details. Let’s dive in…
iPhone 18 Fold Launch Date
Reports suggest that the tech giant plans to launch its first-ever foldable device during its September event, which is scheduled for September 9, 2026, at Apple Park. The company has not disclosed exactly which products will be introduced, but there are reports that suggest that the company is preparing to launch its iPhone 18 Pro series along with its first foldable iPhone. The foldable iPhone is expected to be announced at the event, although its actual availability could vary.
Some reports also suggest that Apple could begin selling the device alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models on September 18. Other reports suggest that production problems could delay the launch until October or even later. This would not be unusual for Apple as the company has delayed the iPhone X launch in 2017 due to production issues.
iPhone 18 Fold Design
Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to use a book-style folding design, which is similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series. According to reports, the phone could feature a display of around 5.5 inches on the outside and a much larger 7.8-inch display when unfolded.
When closed, the phone could work like a regular smartphone. When opened, it could offer a larger, tablet-like screen. One of Apple’s biggest challenges is making the phone thin enough to feel like a premium iPhone, not a bulky foldable. Reports suggest the phone could be around 4.5mm thick when unfolded. If true, it would be much thinner than many current foldable phones.
Apple is also expected to focus on the hinge and screen crease. The company is said to have used better materials and an improved hinge to make the crease less visible.
Display
The biggest highlight of the upcoming Apple foldable device is its display. It is said to feature a larger internal display. Reports suggest that the larger screen (approaching approx. eight inches) would provide considerably more space for browsing websites, watching videos, editing documents and using multiple apps. Apple has reportedly worked on software changes to offer excellent user experience along with the larger screen.
The new foldable iPhone is said to offer improved multitasking. Users would be able to run two applications side by side. Besides that, apps may also receive layouts with sidebars that take advantage of the additional screen space.
Additionally, the upcoming foldable iPhone is expected to run iOS instead of iPadOS. Apple also plans to give developers tools to make their apps work well on the foldable screen.
Camera
The company seems to have taken a slightly different approach its upcoming foldable iPhone model. Current reports suggest that the foldable iPhone includes a dual rear-camera setup, potentially consisting of a main camera and an ultra-wide camera. There are reports that a dedicated telephoto camera may not be included.
Additionally, the front camera arrangement could also be different from conventional iPhones. Some reports suggest Apple may use Touch ID rather than Face ID on the foldable model. However, these details have not been confirmed by Apple yet.
Performance and Software
The upcoming foldable iPhone is expected to include Apple’s next-generation silicon, specifically an A20-series chip. The new processor is said to offer improved performance and power efficiency, while also supporting on-device artificial intelligence.
With the larger display, users would be able to work with multiple applications, interact with AI features and perform demanding tasks effortlessly. The phone is also expected to launch with Apple’s next major version of iOS, reportedly iOS 27, with software optimizations designed specifically for the foldable form factor.
Battery
Battery life could be one area where users may have to compromise, especially with other foldable phones offering larger batteries and longer battery life. Current reports suggest that the upcoming foldable iPhone includes a 4,800mAh to 5,000mAh battery. However, earlier reports pointed to an even larger battery capacity.
Apple may use a split-cell battery to make better use of the limited space inside the phone. However, actual battery life will depend on the final hardware and software and can only be confirmed by Apple.
Expected Price
The foldable iPhone is expected to be priced at around $2,300-$2,500, which is a bit higher. However, some reports even suggest that the upcoming foldable iPhone could potentially start closer to $2,000. Whatever the case, this price is sure to make the foldable iPhone one of Apple’s most expensive smartphones. Apple has not yet announced prices for its Indian buyers, but there are speculations that the prices for Indian buyers could be significantly higher after taxes and other costs.
Availability
Reports suggest that the supply of the iPhone 18 Fold will be limited at launch. This is because foldable phones are considerably more complicated to manufacture than conventional smartphones.
Moreover, this will be Apple’s first foldable iPhone, so the company may want to see how well it performs in the market before making more. Reports suggest Apple may initially produce a relatively limited number of units.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects Apple to ship around 7–8 million foldable iPhones in 2026. Since this is a limited supply, the phone may be hard to find even after its launch on September 9, 2026.
A Major Moment for Apple
With foldable iPhone Apple is going to make an entry into one of the most competitive markets as popular brands like Samsung, Google and Xiaomi have already established themselves in the foldable phone segment. This simply implies that Apple is not entering an entirely new market and Apple will need to convince existing iPhone users why the new foldable iPhone is worth the higher price. A thinner design, smaller crease, strong hinge, smooth software and familiar iOS experience could help the phone stand out.
For now, most details about the foldable iPhone are still unconfirmed. The September 9 event should reveal its name, design, features, price and release date. For the moment all we can do is wait Apple to launch its first-ever foldable iPhone.
