Apple is developing a foldable iPhone expected to debut by 2026, potentially marking the most significant hardware redesign for its flagship product. Reports indicate the tech giant, valued at $3.46 trillion and based in California, has reached out to Asian suppliers to produce components for the new device.
Taking a cue from Samsung Electronics, which pioneered foldable phones in 2019, Apple’s plan is reportedly advancing with a clamshell design codenamed “V68.” This design would fold vertically from top to bottom, akin to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip released in 2020, priced between $850 and $1,900.Sources familiar with the matter suggest Apple’s foldable iPhone has progressed past the conceptual stage.
The company aims to leverage AI-driven features to boost demand amid competitive pressure from Honor, Huawei in China, and Samsung globally.
Meanwhile, Samsung recently unveiled lighter, slimmer foldable models with enhanced AI capabilities in July, reflecting a growing 49% market increase in Q1, according to Counterpoint Research.
Apple also intends to enhance iPhone camera capabilities, potentially introducing a mechanical aperture system for depth-of-field effects. While typical iPhone models take around 24 months to manufacture, a foldable iPhone’s production timeline may extend further.
Despite progress, there’s no certainty Apple will ultimately release the foldable iPhone, which, if launched, would represent a groundbreaking shift akin to its original 2007 iPhone debut.
