According to recent analyst reports, the originally planned launch of the iPhone Fold in 2026 is increasingly being called into question. Instead, the market launch could be postponed – a circumstance that is due to Apple’s ambitious technical specifications as well as some tricky production and supply chain problems.
iPhone Fold apparently coming later
According to the specialist portal TheElec, the first foldable iPhone, often referred to as the “iPhone Fold” for the time being, could no longer be released in 2026 as previously assumed. This is likely to dampen the spirits of Apple fans who recently enjoyed the release of the Apple iPhone 17 (€ 948.00 *) and iPhone 17 Pro (€ 1,279.00 *).
Nevertheless, rumors about the foldable continue to swirl. Apple is said to be relying on a 7.58-inch LTPO AMOLED main display when unfolded and an approx. 5.38-inch outer/cover display. The tech company is also rumored to be using CoE (Chip on Electrode) technology for the displays. This should enable a thinner design.
Why the delay?
According to a report by Macrumors, the delay in the iPhone Fold is mainly due to a bottleneck in key components. The hinge is considered a key mechanism for which Apple is unlikely to be able to guarantee mass production for Q3 2026. Display production, especially for the inner LTPO AMOLED with ultra-thin design (CoE technology) and without polarizer, is also considered challenging.
A change in market launch strategy could also be the cause. It is conceivable that Apple could delay the standard iPhone models slightly, while the Pro variants or the foldable are released first. Such a staggered launch increases the pressure to orchestrate production and logistics absolutely flawlessly – especially when entering a completely new form factor segment.
The fact that Apple presumably does not want to achieve high volumes immediately also has an effect: an initially limited volume (5-7 million units), combined with high technical complexity, creates less room for error. If Apple would rather deliver a mature product than enter the market early with compromises, this further explains the delay.
Conclusion
The chances of the first foldable iPhone going on sale in 2026 are dwindling – the technical and production challenges are too numerous. Nevertheless, one thing is clear: Apple is focusing on quality and precision rather than rushing into the market. As with the iPhone Fold, the price is undoubtedly expected to be in the high-price segment.
