Apple’s long-rumored entry into the foldable smartphone market has moved from the drawing board to the factory floor. Supply chain insiders in China indicate that Foxconn, Apple’s primary manufacturing partner, has commenced trial production of a device tentatively dubbed the ‘iPhone Fold.’ While competitors like Samsung and Huawei have dominated this niche for years, Apple’s entry signals a calculated pivot toward ultra-premium hardware designed to redefine the high-end mobile experience.
Projected for a late 2026 release alongside the iPhone 18 series, the device is expected to be the most expensive product in the company’s history. Current estimates suggest a domestic price in China starting at 15,000 yuan, with top-tier configurations exceeding 20,000 yuan (approximately $2,800). This positioning places the foldable iPhone well above the current flagship Pro Max models, targeting a luxury segment that demands both status and cutting-edge utility.
The hardware design reportedly adopts a ‘book-style’ horizontal fold, featuring a 7.7-inch internal display and a 5.3-inch external cover screen. To solve the industry-wide headache of screen creases and hinge durability, Apple has redirected engineers from the Vision Pro display team to focus on achieving a ‘visually creaseless’ finish. The goal is a device capable of exceeding 300,000 folds, nearly double the standard for many current competitors.
In a rare move of architectural pragmatism, Apple may sacrifice its signature Face ID technology for this model. Analysts suggest that the thinness required for a foldable chassis cannot currently accommodate the bulky Face ID sensor module. Instead, the device is expected to feature a side-mounted Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button, a design language previously reserved for the iPad Air.
Software will be the final piece of the puzzle, with iOS 27 expected to debut features specifically for the foldable form factor. Borrowing heavily from iPadOS, the system will likely support advanced multitasking, split-screen modes, and floating windows. This evolution suggests that Apple views the foldable not just as a larger phone, but as a hybrid device meant to bridge the gap between communication and mobile productivity.