When will Apple launch your own foldable device? This is a question that technical enthusiastic and apple fans have been asking for years. While the rumors have broadcast annually – whether it is about the Apple filing foldable patent or quietly working on the prototype – neither the company nor the industry analysts offered a clear time outline. But now, it seems that the long wait may finally end. The much awaited foldable iPhone is reportedly taking shape, and Apple may launch its first foldable device in early 2026.

It is likely to be called a “iPhone fold”, the device is expected to claim a state -of -the -art design, an almost invisible crease and a premium price tag that can exceed Rs 2 lakh in India. While nothing is still confirmed by Apple, render and leaks are portraying a picture that we can expect from the first foldable of Apple.

Foldable iPhone Design

According to several supply chain sources and leaks, Apple’s first foldable phone will adopt a book-style fold- Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold Series or OnePlus Open. Rumors suggest that Apple may add two OLED displays: a small outer screen for quick tasks- use it as a regular smartphone, and a large interior display that appears in a mini tablet.

A leak from Weibo-based account digital chat station suggests that internal performance can measure 7.76 inches with 2,713 x 1,920 resolution. This internal performance is also called for the hidden camera house under the screen, with the “Under-Screen camera technology” of Apple from the box.

Upon closing, the external display is called a 5.49 inch panel with 2,088 x 1,422 resolution. Unlike internal performance, the outer one punch-hole selfie camera is likely to be facilitated.

Thanks to OLED technology, the performance will probably be vivid and bright with a minimal crease. According to reports, Apple is focusing on making the crease as much as possible – and can almost correct it on its first attempt. To do this, Apple is also rumored to work with the Samsung display, which is called an exclusive supplier for both internal and external panels due to its advanced foldable OLED technology.

Display analyst Ross Young has also reported that Apple chose Samsung after exiting LG and BOE, as they failed to meet Apple’s standards for stability and crease reduction.

Touch the ID instead of face ID?

With the iPhone 16 series, Apple has fully phased out the touch ID. However, reports suggest that biometric authentication may return with foldable devices.

According to the information, the iPhone can leave the face ID on the iPhone fold due to the complexity of embedding full Truedepth camera system under Apple Performance. Instead, the device may have a side-mounted touch ID sensor integrated into the power button-which we look at iPad Air and iPad mini.

Under-display selfie camera and dual rear lens

For photography, the iPhone fold is likely to feature double rear cameras, although accurate glasses live under raps. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that internal performance will be an under-display camera for selfie, which will enable a clean, all-screen design. Meanwhile, as I mentioned earlier, external performance is rumored to sports a punch-holl selfie camera-the same for the presence of iPhone.

Thin and durable

Purability has always been a concern with foldables, and to address it, Apple is allegedly using a titanium frame for its foldable iPhone – to study without adding extra weight. Interestingly, this rumor comes at a time when Apple is asked to return to aluminum from the titanium for the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro series, in an effort to make the equipment lighter and align with its 2030 carbon neutrality goals.

Meanwhile, to feel smooth when the device is unfolded, Apple is reportedly targeting an ultra-slim profile-4.5 mm when open, and when bent below 10 mm. According to a report by the Korean outlet The Elk, Apple is developing a liquid metal hinge – a custom design – to reduce stress on performance and reduce the risk of visual crease.

Big battery

Now coming in rumors around the battery, the tipster revevenus (@tech_reve on x) claims that the foldable iPhone will pack a large battery to support high-resolution OLED display and multitasking facilities.

Rumors also suggest that Apple may introduce a next-gene custom chip-A19 or even the A20 chip, with the 2026 timeline-with the thermal and power efficiency.

Groundwork with iPhone 17 Air?

Interestingly, while Apple hasn’t confirmed anything yet, rumors say iPhone 17 Air – This September is expected to launch iPhone Plus as a replacement – will serve as a base for foldable iPhone.

The iPhone 17 Air is built as the thinnest iPhone Apple, and the company can use its design language and hardware layout to ensure that the foldable version lives as slim.

Both the iPhone 17 air and foldable iPhone can share features such as under-display camera tech, custom modem and stacked cell or hybrid anode content such as improving battery design.

When to expect the first foldable iPhone?

For the release window, the sources of the industry cited by Elec and Digitims suggest that Apple has entered the new product introduction (NPI) stage with FoxConn. Late, production Q4 is expected to begin in 2026, with a possible launch at late 2026 or in early 2027.

Foxconn is likely to be the main assembly partner, in which Apple reportedly targets the annual production volume of at least 9 million units – possibly scaling up to 15 million depending on demand.

Foldable iPhone Pricing

Apple never goes away from attaching a heavy price tag for its new technology – it is Mac Studio or Vision Pro. Now, considering Apple, allegedly using premium content, foldable OLEDs, custom Kaj Tantra and next-gene silicon, the iPhone fold will definitely not be cheap.

The industry estimates that its initial price is between $ 2,000 and $ 2,300, which can translate up to about Rs 2 lakh to India after import duties and taxes.

If it is priced, it will make the foldable iPhone one of the most expensive iPhones of Apple.

Now that the foldable game in the form of Apple Fashion is late, it seems that the company is taking its time to distribute a product that meets its common standards of polish, performance and reliability. And with a strong competition leading to the foldable space from Samsung, Huawei and even Google, Apple will not only require to offer top-level performance, but will also require the standing price tag right.