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It feels like Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup has only just hit the shelves, yet the rumor mill is already buzzing about what’s next. And if whispers from industry insiders are anything to go by, 2026 might bring the most radical iPhone yet—a foldable one.
Bloomberg’s well-connected Apple analyst Mark Gurman has hinted that Cupertino is deep into development of a bendy iPhone, describing it as the likely “star” of Apple’s 2026 launch event. For fans who’ve been waiting to see how Apple would enter the foldable race, it sounds like the wait could soon be over.
What Will It Look Like?
Apple, of course, is keeping its lips sealed. But Gurman believes the foldable won’t mimic the clamshell Motorola Razr or the book-like Google Pixel Fold. Instead, he suggests it’ll look more like two iPhone Airs fused side-by-side—a slim, titanium-framed marvel that prioritizes elegance just as much as function.
That design choice makes sense. Apple’s new iPhone Air, introduced this month, is the lightest, thinnest iPhone ever, carrying forward the DNA of the beloved MacBook Air. If the foldable truly follows this template, expect a sleek, featherlight device that feels less like a chunky gadget and more like a futuristic notebook that just happens to fold.
The Price of Innovation
If you’re already wincing at the £799–£1,199 price tags of the iPhone 17 family, brace yourself. Gurman predicts the foldable iPhone could easily surpass the $2,000 mark, making it Apple’s most expensive smartphone to date. But then again, Apple has a track record of turning high-priced products into must-have icons.
The Road to Release
Behind the scenes, Apple is said to be working closely with its trusted suppliers and assembly partners, including Foxconn in China. Some chatter suggests production could also expand into India, though China is expected to remain a central hub.
And when can you actually get your hands on it? Gurman points to Apple’s traditional fall launch window in 2026—meaning eager fans may still have two more iPhone cycles to get through before this foldable arrives.
Apple Stays Silent
Naturally, Apple is playing it cool. When asked directly about the foldable rumors, John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, smiled but declined to comment. “You probably know we never talk about anything in the future,” he said, shifting focus back to the iPhones hitting stores today.
Still, history shows Apple’s secret projects often end up rewriting the rules of tech. From the first iPhone in 2007 to the iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods, the company has a knack for entering established markets and redefining them. The foldable space—still niche despite efforts from Samsung, Google, and Motorola—may be next in line.
The Bigger Picture
Apple’s journey from a garage startup in 1976 to the most valuable company in the world has been defined by bold moves. Whether it was putting 1,000 songs in your pocket with the iPod, replacing the keyboard with a touchscreen on the iPhone, or making wearables mainstream with the Apple Watch, Apple thrives on disruptive leaps.
So, while the foldable iPhone might still be under wraps, one thing feels certain: if Apple’s version really does arrive in 2026, it won’t just be another gadget. It’ll be an event.
Would you pay $2,000 for Apple’s first foldable iPhone—or are you happy sticking with the flat screens we know and love?
