Apple’s Projected First Foldable iPhone: Market Positioning, Hardware Specifications, Development Timeline, and Shipment Projections.

Apple’s First Foldable iPhone: Predictions and Projections

• Apple’s anticipated first foldable iPhone, slated for a 2026 release, is projected to be a high-end device priced between $2,000 and $2,500, leveraging Apple’s brand loyalty and aiming to capitalize on replacement demand despite the premium cost; it will feature a book-style design with a 7.8-inch inner and 5.5-inch outer display, incorporating a titanium alloy casing and a robust hinge mechanism.
• The device’s specifications include a dual-lens rear camera, a single front-facing camera usable in both folded and unfolded states, and a return to Touch ID as a side button due to potential Face ID limitations; the phone’s thickness is estimated at 9-9.5mm when folded and 4.5-4.8mm when unfolded, utilizing high-density battery cells similar to the iPhone 17.
• Production is expected to be limited initially, with shipment estimates of 3-5 million units in 2026, scaling up to a projected 20 million units in 2027 with the inclusion of the second-generation model; the development timeline includes final specification lock-in in the second quarter of 2025, project kickoff in the third quarter of 2025, and mass production commencing in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Apple’s first foldable iPhone is projected to be a premium device, priced between $2,000 and $2,500, targeting AI-driven functionality with a focus on enhanced user experience through larger screens. Its expected integration of multimodal capabilities allows for simultaneous tasks, such as interacting with a chatbot while viewing maps. Positioned as a top-tier iPhone, it aims to leverage Apple’s robust fanbase and drive strong replacement demand if its quality meets their expectations.

The hardware specifications indicate a book-style design featuring a crease-free 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer display. Touch ID is anticipated to be incorporated as a side button, while Face ID might not be included due to space limitations. The phone will have a dual-lens rear camera, a front-facing camera usable in both folded and unfolded states, and will measure between 9–9.5mm thick when folded and 4.5–4.8mm when unfolded. Its hinge will combine stainless steel and titanium alloy, with the casing made from titanium alloy and battery optimized similar to the ultra-thin iPhone 17.

The development schedule involves locking final specifications in the second quarter of 2025, with the project kickoff in the third quarter of 2025 and mass production slated for the fourth quarter of 2026. The second-generation model is expected to start mass production in the second half of 2027. Shipment estimates suggest that volume production won’t exceed 3–5 million units for 2026 due to the complexity of the initial model, with potential shipments reaching 20 million units in 2027 when including the second generation.