Apple’s long-awaited entry into the foldables space will finally take place next year, according to the latest analyst report. In a client note seen by CNBC earlier this week, JPMorgan said the “fairly limited” iPhone 17 release will be followed by the more compelling launch of the first “iPhone Fold” in the fall of 2026.
“Investor focus has already turned to the 2026 fall launches,” the analyst wrote, “with Apple expected to launch its first foldable iPhone as part of the iPhone 18 lineup in September 2026, featuring a book-style fold similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series.”
The latest of Samsung’s Galaxy foldables, the Z Fold 7, has an outer display that measures 6.5 inches and an 8-inch inner one. Apple’s rival device, according to JPMorgan, will be a little less well-endowed, with displays measuring 5.5 and 7.8 inches respectively. But it should make up for this in other areas, such as its anticipated crease-free foldable display, a technology which Samsung is still working on and hopes to achieve in time for the Z Fold 8.
The predicted launch timeframe largely fits with the current consensus, as most reports expect the first folding iPhone to launch in late 2026 or early 2027. Where JPMorgan differs from rivals is in expected pricing. Acknowledging that the iPhone Fold will have “premium pricing,” the analyst nevertheless pitches the MSRP at around $1,999, a high price, but a little lower than previously expected and in line with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which starts at $1,999 for 256GB of storage. Previous estimates put the folding iPhone at somewhere between $2,000 and $2,300.
For all the latest news and rumors on this topic, check out our regularly updated foldable iPhone superguide.
Author: David Price, Editor, Macworld
David has been writing about technology for well over two decades, and got on board the Apple hype train when covering the original iPhone launch in 2007. He is an enthusiastic Apple Watch evangelist and feels that the HomePod is misunderstood.