Apple’s Foldable iPhone: A Decade in the Making
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Apple's Foldable iPhone: A Decade in the Making
- Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone, potentially named iPhone Ultra, on September 9, 2026, with a rumored starting price around $1,999.
- Former Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly became a significant advocate for a foldable iPhone around 2020 after observing the growing popularity of such devices in Asia.
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Apple is poised to introduce its first foldable iPhone, a device that has been in development for approximately a decade. While Apple’s engineering teams had explored foldable technology for years, dating back to before Samsung launched its first Galaxy Fold in 2019, the project gained significant momentum around 2020. This was reportedly after former CEO Tim Cook returned from a trip to Asia, energized by the prevalence of foldable phones from competitors like Samsung and Huawei, and pushed for Apple to accelerate its efforts in this product category.
The upcoming foldable iPhone is anticipated to feature a “book-style” design, with a 5.5-inch outer display and a larger 7.8-inch inner display when unfolded. This design aims to offer a hybrid experience, combining iPhone portability with iPad-like screen space and functionality. Rumors suggest the device will incorporate a titanium and aluminum frame, an ultra-thin glass display designed to minimize creasing, and Touch ID for authentication instead of Face ID. It is also expected to include an A20 chip and 12GB of RAM.
Initially, Apple reportedly targeted an entry-level price of $1,999 for the device. However, recent discussions suggest the starting price could be closer to $2,199 due to component costs, particularly a global memory shortage, with higher storage configurations potentially reaching up to $3,000. The device, which some reports indicate will be called the “iPhone Ultra,” is expected to be unveiled on September 9, 2026, during Apple’s fall event. New CEO John Ternus is expected to unveil the device, marking it as a significant product launch early in his tenure, though it is considered by some to be Tim Cook’s final major product initiative.