Overview
- Multiple industry reports say Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in September 2026 but the device’s retail availability is likely to be staggered and delayed.
- Analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo and supply‑chain coverage estimate only about 0.5–1 million units could be assembled in the third quarter, with total shipments for the second half of 2026 forecast at roughly 7–8 million and some reports saying Apple has set a broader 2026 target near 10 million units.
- Sources attribute the tight early supply to hard engineering problems for the folding display and hinge, though recent reporting says suppliers have made progress on hinge design and panel yields are improving.
- The foldable is widely reported to carry a premium price around $2,300 to $2,500, which analysts say will push delivery lead times to four to six weeks or longer and create strong short‑term resale premiums.
- Even at modest volumes a high‑priced foldable could meaningfully affect Apple’s iPhone revenue mix, so watch for how quickly manufacturing yields rise and whether supply normalizes into late 2026 and early 2027.