Apple is finally catching up with the foldable phones, with the potential launch of its iPhone Fold in September 2026. Rumors of the launch have been circulating in the market for a long time, and now some leaks suggest it is happening this year. Here’s everything you need to know from launch to price to features.
iPhone Fold Launch Date and Availability
It is rumored that Apple will launch its foldable phone along with the iPhone 18 Pro series in September 2026. Notably, this matches their usual timeline, but no confirmed date or announcement has been made regarding the launch date.
Note that Apple has recently changed its release strategy. The fall will witness the launch of the iPhone Fold, 18 Pro, and 18 Pro Max, whereas the standard 18 and 18e will come in spring 2027.
Estimated Price for iPhone Fold at Launch
Considering the complexities of a foldable and current market rates for this type, it is clear that the iPhone will have a high price. Experts suggest that this might be the costliest Apple smartphone, with the estimated starting price of ~₹2.1 Lakh ($1,999 to $2,399 in the U.S.).
Even though many Android companies have already launched their foldable phones, Apple is taking its time. They are targeting the ultra-premium segment and planning to capture higher market value with lower unit volume compared to the standard lineup.
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Leaked Design, Display, and Other Specifications
One of the prominent leaked details around this smartphone is its design to open horizontally like a book. It caters to the demand of users who wish to have a smartphone and a small tablet. More specifications are as follows: –
Design and Display
Sources, including India Today, revealed that the biggest highlight of the Apple Fold is its display. In the closed state, the outer display will be around 5.3 to 5.5 inches, a standard smartphone. The inner display is expected to be 7.7 to 7.8 inches when opened, also resembling an iPad interface.
The closed thickness is estimated to be under 10mm, while the open to be under 5mm. Since it’s a foldable, it requires a stronger protective material for the display. For this, Apple has combined ultra-thin glass with advanced polymer films, which will enhance durability and clarity.
They are also adding a metal plate under the display to distribute stress during bending to deal with the visible crease issues. For extra strength and resistance to deformation, liquid metal components are incorporated.
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A significant design change is in the button layout. The volume controls are reported to be moved to the top edge, while the power button remains on the side (Apple tablet design).
Color Options
For now, it is said that Apple will introduce simple colors like black and white. Testing reports also hint at the same, plus there’s no concrete information on the bolder finish yet.
Camera Setup
Similar to most Apple models, no compromise has been made on the camera setup in the iPhone Fold. Although it will feature fewer but highly optimised sensors. Additionally, it will have a dual rear camera setup, each with 48MP.
According to the leaks, the inner display might conceal its camera beneath the surface, and the outer display to feature a tiny-punch hole cutout. There are also rumors around the main camera featuring the variable aperture technology of the soon to be launching iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Battery and Performance
There’s limited information on the battery and performance section. It is said that Apple is definitely working with high-density battery cells and slimming internal components. This will equip them to fit more capacity inside the chassis.
If rumors are to be believed, the iPhone may have the largest battery in all the models (between 5,400 mAh and 5,800 mAh). This is understandable since the large folding display would have higher power demands.
Biometric Security (No Face ID)
Apple might skip Face ID with the fold version to accommodate the larger battery capacity and the folding mechanism. Instead, they may introduce a Touch ID sensor on the side, providing the needed security.
Connectivity
Reports suggest that Apple will continue to transition away from Qualcomm components and feature its proprietary C2 modem. Another update might be the elimination of the physical SIM tray and allowing eSIM-only configuration.
Overall, the iPhone Fold is likely to maintain the essence of the Apple product with slight changes. However, it is important to note that Apple hasn’t made any announcement on the product launch details and features, so wait for official confirmation.