Overview
- Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple still aims to announce its first foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026, but he does not expect smooth shipments until 2027 with shortages likely through late 2026.
- Kuo attributes the lag to early-stage yield and ramp-up challenges, with unresolved hinge and flexible-display engineering flagged by other analysts as potential sources of further delay.
- Reports that Foxconn would begin limited 2025 builds have not been borne out, suggesting the device remains in engineering validation rather than nearing mass production.
- He frames Apple’s timetable as shaped by AI competition and likens the debut to the iPhone X playbook, adding that initial shipment targets in the single-digit millions will likely be revised downward.
- Leaked renders and aggregated reports point to a book-style design with a roughly 7.7–7.8 inch inner screen, a 5.3–5.5 inch cover display, crease-reduction hinge tech, and a premium price in the $2,000–$2,500 range.