Kuo: foldable iPhone coming in late 2026

The foldable iPhone has become something like a unicorn in leak land. We know it will come out eventually, but its launch date and specs have been the subject of numerous speculations. Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is back with his latest report, which indicates that the first Apple foldable will launch in late 2026. We also got some more spec details, which is always a welcome addition.

Keep in mind that all of this info is just speculation at this point, so it should be taken accordingly.

Apple is going for a book-style foldable iPhone with a 5.5-inch outer screen and a 7.8-inch OLED display. The main display is reportedly “crease-free” thanks to an advanced hinge mechanism. Kuo shares that Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) is the leading supplier for the foldable iPhone’s hinge and midframe.

Both of those components are allegedly made from stainless steel and titanium with their slender profiles requiring advanced 3D printing technology, similar to what Oppo did with its Find N5.

Oppo Find N5's hinge features a 3D-printed titanium wing panel

In addition, the foldable iPhone will not get Face ID and will actually feature a Touch ID fingerprint reader integrated into the power button on the side. Kuo speculates that this move will help the device maintain a slimmer profile.

The foldable iPhone will reportedly measure just 4.5–4.8mm in its unfolded state and 9–9.5mm when folded. The casing is made from titanium, just like the Pro model iPhones. The back of the device is said to feature a dual-lens setup. Both the cover and main screens are getting front-facing cameras.

Oppo Find N5 running macOS via O+ Connect

Kuo suggests the foldable iPhone will get an initial production run in Q3 2025. Mass production is expected to start in Q4 2026, with the device officially launching later that year.

You’d expect a first-gen product like this to come with a hefty price tag, and you wouldn’t be wrong. Kuo says the folding iPhone will cost between $2,000 - $2,500. He expects Apple to ship between 3–5 million units in 2026, while the second-gen version is expected to reach up to 20 million shipments in 2027.

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