New Delhi: Apple is finally getting serious about foldable phones. After years of staying away from the category dominated by Samsung and Google, the Cupertino-based tech giant is now fast-tracking its first foldable iPhone, with a launch expected in 2026 and a premium price tag that could touch Rs 1.80 lakh, according to a well-known industry analyst.
Apple changes course on hardware strategy
As per insights shared by veteran Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the company has decided to prioritise foldables over the next iteration of the iPhone Air. The move comes after the iPhone Air reportedly saw lower-than-expected sales, prompting Apple to rethink its product roadmap.
Instead of pushing incremental updates, Apple appears to be betting on bold hardware innovation to regain momentum—especially at a time when competition around AI-powered smartphones is heating up.
Foldable iPhone still on track for 2026
Kuo noted that despite rumours suggesting a delay to 2027, Apple’s internal timelines remain unchanged. The foldable iPhone is still expected to be unveiled in the fall of 2026.
“Industry checks from the past few weeks suggest Apple is sticking to its original plan,” Kuo said, adding that the company has accelerated development to make up for its late entry into the foldable segment.
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That said, early shipments may be limited. Mass production is likely to ramp up only after the initial announcement, meaning availability could be tight in the first phase.
iPhone Air update pushed to 2027
Originally, Apple planned to refresh the iPhone Air in the second half of 2026 alongside new Pro models and the foldable. However, revised production estimates—reportedly dropping from 8 million units to under 6 million—have led Apple to delay the next iPhone Air refresh to 2027.
This shift clears the way for the foldable iPhone to take centre stage as Apple’s key hardware launch for 2026.
Expected specs and price
According to Kuo’s projections, Apple’s first foldable iPhone will sit firmly in the ultra-premium category:
- Expected price: Over $2,000 (around Rs 1.80 lakh in India)
- Thickness: About 9 mm when unfolded and roughly 9.2 mm when folded
Apple is positioning the device as a luxury product rather than a mass-market phone, at least in its first generation.
Bigger screens, bigger AI ambitions
The push toward foldables isn’t just about design. Apple reportedly sees larger displays as future “AI carriers”—devices that can better handle multimodal AI tasks, on-device processing, and richer user interactions.
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With generative AI and on-device intelligence becoming central to smartphone experiences, foldable screens could give Apple the space it needs to deliver more advanced AI features without compromising usability.
For Apple, the foldable iPhone could be less about catching up—and more about redefining the category, its way.
