Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone could finally become a reality this September, with the company reportedly preparing to unveil its first foldable alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Recent reports suggest Apple’s launch plans are increasingly pointing towards September 2026, although Apple has yet to confirm the device.
The phone is expected to adopt a book-style design rather than the clamshell approach used by Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip range. Rumours point to a roughly 5.5-inch outer display that opens into a much larger 7.8-inch inner screen, effectively turning the iPhone into a compact tablet. One of the biggest questions is the crease. Apple is reportedly targeting a foldable display with a crease that is considerably less noticeable than those found on many existing foldables.
Under the hood, the foldable is expected to use Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chip, potentially manufactured using TSMC’s 2nm process. Reports have also pointed to 12GB of RAM, two 48-megapixel rear cameras and Touch ID integrated into the power button instead of Face ID. The move to Touch ID would make sense if Apple is struggling to fit its existing Face ID hardware into the unusually thin folding chassis.
The biggest catch could be the price. Current reports put the starting price somewhere around $2,000 to $2,500, potentially making it one of Apple’s most expensive consumer products. Limited initial production is also expected, as foldable displays, hinges and ultra-thin components remain difficult and expensive to manufacture.
So how will it compare with the competition? Samsung and Google have already spent years refining foldables. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line has become thinner and more capable, while Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers a large battery and 16GB of RAM. Apple will therefore enter a market where the basic concept is no longer experimental.
The interesting question is whether the foldable iPhone will actually match the iPhone 18 Pro’s specifications. The answer may be, not entirely. Apple could use the same A20 Pro platform but compromise on cameras, battery capacity or biometric hardware because of the folding design. In other words, the foldable may be positioned as a premium alternative to the iPhone 18 Pro Max rather than simply being an iPhone 18 Pro that happens to fold.
If Apple does launch in September, the real test will not be whether it can make a foldable phone. Samsung, Google and others have already proved that. The question is whether Apple can make one that feels sufficiently refined, thin, reliable and useful to justify a potentially $2,000-plus price tag.