Apple’s long awaited foldable iPhone remains set to debut sometime this year. However, the company could have to make some compromises on features set to arrive on the iPhone 18 Pro. Apple’s first foldable iPhone will reportedly offer an innovative design, including a book-style hinge mechanism and extra large internal display and ultra-thin chassis.

Apple’s foldable iPhone set to debut in 2026

It is possible that Apple could debut the first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026. However, the foldable iPhone could have to make some design compromises on features due to the ultra-slim design.

Apple Foldable iPhone: What to Expect

• Apple’s first foldable smartphone is expected to adopt a book-style design, much like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series. Reportedly, the foldable iPhone will offer a massive 7.8 OLED display on the inside and a 5.5 OLED screen on the outside.
• One of the biggest highlights of Apple’s foldable iPhone is expected to be the reduced display crease. According to industry insiders, Apple is reportedly working on a foldable OLED display that will have a crease that is barely visible when the device is opened.
• Apple’s first foldable iPhone is also expected to be exceptionally slim. Reportedly, the device could measure as thin as 4.5mm when opened. However, this extreme design choice could come at the expense of some features.

Foldable iPhone will reportedly skip Face ID

One of the major differences between the rumored foldable iPhone and the iPhone 18 Pro foldable iPhone is expected to be the biometric security features. While the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain Face ID, the foldable iPhone will reportedly skip this feature altogether.

Apple’s foldable iPhone is expected to adopt Touch ID embedded within the power button instead. Reportedly, the decision to skip Face ID on the foldable iPhone is linked to the compact and ultra-thin design of the device.

Camera setup: Foldable iPhone will reportedly skip periscope camera

Apple’s foldable iPhone is expected to offer a simplified camera setup compared to the iPhone 18 Pro.

According to recent reports, the foldable iPhone will reportedly adopt a dual rear-facing camera setup that will include two 48MP sensors. Unlike the iPhone 18 Pro, foldable iPhone will forgo the periscope camera, sacrificing optical zoom for a slim design. Thus, buyers considering the foldable iPhone will have to give up on the advanced camera features set to arrive on the iPhone 18 Pro.

iPhone 18 Pro to reportedly offer variable-aperture camera?

• Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to receive some camera upgrades over the standard iPhone 18. One of the rumored upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro is a variable-aperture camera.
• The variable-aperture design for the main camera on the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to allow photographers to control the amount of light entering the lens. As a result, iPhone 18 Pro could offer improved low-light photography and videography capabilities.
• Thus, it is possible that the iPhone 18 Pro could arrive with a set of upgraded features and hardware that will position it as Apple’s flagship smartphone ahead of the foldable iPhone.

iPhone Foldable will reportedly include A20 chip and C2 modem

Apple’s foldable iPhone is expected to be an ultra-premium smartphone that will be positioned as an alternative to the iPhone 18 Pro. Reportedly, the foldable iPhone will include Apple’s A20 chipset and C2 modem. The iPhone 18 Pro will also reportedly feature advanced Apple silicon that could differ from the specs on the foldable iPhone.

The foldable iPhone is also rumored to include a large battery that will allow for extended use on a single charge. Some industry insiders claim that the foldable iPhone will include a battery larger than 5,500 mAh. However, Apple has yet to officially confirm any of the rumored hardware specifications for the foldable iPhone.

Expected price of Apple’s foldable iPhone could be astronomical

The rumored price for Apple’s foldable iPhone is also likely to be eye-watering. Reportedly, Apple’s foldable iPhone could debut with a starting price of over $2,000. Some analysts have even estimated that the foldable iPhone could be priced between $2,000 and $2,500 when it launches. Thus, the foldable iPhone could become one of Apple’s most expensive smartphones ever sold.

In India, the starting price for the foldable iPhone will likely surpass ₹2 lakh, depending on how much Apple will price the device and the additional costs associated with importing the device into India.

Apple Foldable iPhone vs iPhone 18 Pro: Major differences

The rumored differences between the foldable iPhone and the iPhone 18 Pro suggest that Apple is planning to offer two distinct flagship smartphone options. While the iPhone 18 Pro will reportedly offer advanced hardware features, the foldable iPhone will prioritize a tablet-like display that transforms into a more compact and portable smartphone due to the slim and ultra-thin design.

In other words, the foldable iPhone will likely not be positioned to be the best iPhone in terms of hardware and features. On the contrary, the foldable iPhone will be marketed as a revolutionary smartphone that will offer an alternative option for customers who are looking to adopt an entirely different type of mobile device.

When will Apple launch the first foldable iPhone?

Apple’s first foldable iPhone is set to launch in 2026. Recent reports suggest that the foldable iPhone will debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Additionally, according to industry insiders, Apple’s suppliers are already preparing for mass production of the foldable iPhone. However, Apple has yet to officially confirm the launch of the foldable iPhone or the timeline for its release. Reportedly, Apple is considering naming the foldable iPhone as the ‘iPhone Ultra.’