New Delhi: Apple fans, hold your breath, the iPhone is finally getting a major makeover. According to Report on JP Morgan projections, Apple is gearing up to launch its very first foldable iPhone as part of the iPhone 18 series, likely around September 2026. This isn’t just a style upgrade, it’s a whole new chapter in Apple’s design journey. After years of playing it safe, Cupertino is now ready to dive into the foldable game, already ruled by Samsung and a few others.
And let us tell you, this isn’t going to be a half-baked idea. Apple, as usual, is taking its time, and maybe, just maybe, that’s a good thing.
What’s New? Everything.
So far, leaks and analyst reports suggest the foldable iPhone will feature a book-style design, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series. But with Apple’s signature polish. The main display will open up to around 7.8 inches, while the cover screen will be about 5.5 inches, slightly smaller than Samsung’s current foldable, but expected to be more compact and solid in feel.
In classic Apple fashion, they’re aiming for something cleaner, and better. Rumours are strong that Apple wants to offer a “crease-free” folding display, something that no brand has nailed completely yet. If this works, it could solve the biggest problem people have with current foldables, that weird crease right in the middle.
Under the hood, the foldable iPhone might carry Apple’s powerful new A20 chip, built on advanced 3nm technology. Expect 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and up to 1TB storage, making it a serious productivity beast. There’s even talk about Apple Pencil support and a titanium frame, which could give the phone a solid premium edge, similar to the iPhone 15 Pro series.
Camera leaks suggest a dual rear camera setup, along with two selfie cameras, one on the outer screen and another inside. Apple might also bring in computational photography upgrades and 8K video recording, just to keep the content creators hooked.
As for charging, while details are still under wraps, fast charging and MagSafe are almost guaranteed.
A Peek Behind the Scenes
The production is expected to begin by late 2025 via Foxconn, with Samsung Display supplying the OLED panels, yes, even Apple relies on its competitor when it comes to display tech. Reports say Apple is ordering 7–8 million foldable panels initially and is planning to roll out up to 20 million units over the first 2–3 years.
Brands like Corning (the Gorilla Glass guys) and Amphenol (connectors specialist) are also believed to be part of the supply chain, making this a serious ecosystem-level push by Apple.
Expected Price in India
Now here’s the part that might pinch your wallet: the foldable iPhone could start at ₹1,74,900 in India. And that’s just for the base variant. With higher storage, the price may easily cross ₹2 lakh. In the U.S., the expected retail is $1,999, putting it squarely in the ultra-premium zone.
Clearly, Apple isn’t aiming this at everyday users. This one’s for luxury buyers, early adopters, and tech-savvy professionals who are deeply into the Apple ecosystem.
But is it worth the wait?
Honestly, this feels like one of Apple’s boldest steps in recent memory. Since the notch, we haven’t seen a truly radical change in iPhone’s design. And while the foldable trend has been around for years, Apple jumping in now shows one thing, they’re not here to experiment, they’re here to redefine.
From an Indian market perspective, this move could open doors to a new luxury-tech category, where iPhones stop being just phones and start becoming portable productivity hubs, but the real question is: can Apple deliver something genuinely useful, or will it be just another fold in the story?
Only time will tell.
