Apple's first foldable iPhone will be as big as an iPad mini, as thin as a magazine, and as expensive as a weekend in Monaco.
For the past few years, we've looked back with a smile at the foldable phones of the Android camp and thought, "That's cute, but... Apple "It will never do that." Well, dear readers, it seems the time has come - Apple is preparing its first foldable iPhone - the iPhone Foldable. And it won't just be foldable. It will also be brutal in specifications, futuristic in design and, of course, so ambitious in price that you might have to save a kidney.
The new era of iPhones: more iPad than phone?
If we are to believe (and in the Apple world, we always have to doubt first and then believe) top sources like Bloomberg, MacRumors, and of course analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the first foldable iPhone will be released in late 2026. Maybe even early 2027, if Apple, as it knows how, decides that it “isn’t perfect yet.” And since Apple means perfection (at least in its own mind), of course we’d rather wait.
The design will be book-like – think Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, with Apple charm. There will be a 7.8-inch display with a resolution of 2,713 x 1,920 on the inside, and a 5.5-inch screen on the outside. So big enough for reading, scrolling, watching Netflix and… well, almost everything.
iPhone 17 Air – warming up for the foldable future?
Although eyes are set on 2026, this year may offer a glimpse into the future of the foldable iPhone. Apple is rumored to unveil it this fall (likely in September). iPhone 17 Air – the thinnest iPhone ever, with a completely redesigned architecture that is expected to lay the foundation for the future of foldable devices.
What does this mean? The iPhone 17 Air is said to feature a new generation of displays, a more compact design, an improved battery, and a completely new chip cooling system – technologies that are said to be directly used in the upcoming foldable iPhone. This won't just be an evolution. It will be an experiment disguised as a premium product.
Maybe it will be iPhone 17 Air the first iPhone to finally ditch physical buttons, or introduce a modular display that can wrap around the edges. If you pay attention to Apple's designs: when "Air" appears, it means the thing will be ultra-light, ultra-thin, and most likely ultra-expensive.
Wrinkles? Only on the forehead, not on the screen - iPhone Foldable
The display will be made by Samsung, which is, ironically, one of Apple's main competitors. But this isn't your average OLED. The crease is said to be almost invisible - meaning you'll be able to enjoy a smooth view without that weird notch that always bothers us a bit with other foldables. It'll be as thin as a catwalk: 4.5mm open and 9mm folded. Apple is clearly aiming for elegance without compromise.
A price that is not for every pocket
Now for the elephant in the room – the price of the iPhone Foldable. There is talk of a range between 2,000 and 2,500 USD, with a starting price of around 2,300 USD. In Slovenia, this means… more than you want to know. So it won't be a phone for every pocket – more for every safe. But hey, the Apple Watch Ultra isn't exactly cheap either, but people still wear it on their wrists as a status symbol.
What will be under the hood?
Inside is all the magic of the upcoming iPhone 17 Air – an improved chip, a better battery, a new modem, and something truly futuristic: an under-display camera. Yes, there's no more selfie hole – just the entire screen. Which means we'll be able to see our facial expressions during Zoom calls without annoying black circles.
Dual personality: iPhone + iPad mini
The biggest advantage? The foldable iPhone will be a combination of an iPhone and an iPad mini. Fold it when you carry it, unfold it when you need it. It sounds like something that could actually change the way we use mobile devices — if, of course, everything works as smoothly as Apple promises.
And when, exactly?
Production is currently in the NPI (New Product Introduction) phase at Foxconn, which means Apple engineers are already polishing the final details. Mass production of the iPhone Foldable will begin in the second half of 2026. If there are no delays, we can expect the first devices just before Christmas 2026. However, if Apple decides that things are not yet “iPhone-like” perfect, it can move us to 2027.
Inferential thinking
The foldable iPhone is no longer a myth. It's a reality brewing around the corner. Will this be the device that redefines Apple like the first iPhone? Maybe. Will this be just another luxury product for the elite? Probably. But one thing is clear: if there's a company that knows how to turn a trend into a status symbol and engrave it into the collective consciousness, it's Apple.
So prepare your wallet, your patience – and maybe some extra protection for your heart when you see the price.
