Foldable iPhone Set for Manufacturing Debut: Details Emerge from Supply Chain
Apple’s longstanding development of a foldable iPhone is approaching a pivotal milestone, with Foxconn gearing up to start production in late Q3 or early Q4 of 2025, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (MacRumors, TF Securities, 9to5Mac). If current projections hold, the device—likely branded within the iPhone 18 lineup—will launch in fall 2026, marking Apple’s formal entry into the foldable smartphone segment.
Supply Chain and Display Partnership
While several key hardware specifications remain undecided, Kuo confirms that the foldable display, measuring approximately 7.8 inches when opened and 5.5 inches when closed, is finalized and will be sourced from Samsung Display. This echoes Apple’s previous strategies of leveraging proven display partners. Samsung Display is reportedly preparing to deliver 7–8 million foldable panels in 2026, with Apple’s aggregate order targeting 15–20 million total units (MacRumors, AppleInsider).
Foxconn will take on assembly duties, facing engineering complexity nearly unmatched in Apple’s mobile device history. The device is expected to be remarkably slim—estimates suggest around 4.5mm when unfolded and 9 to 9.5mm when folded—demonstrating Apple's pursuit of aggressive industrial design standards (9to5Mac).
Core Features: Rethinking Authentication and Design
Rumors suggest the foldable iPhone will use Touch ID, possibly integrated into the side button, due to spatial restrictions that preclude Face ID (9to5Mac). Other technical innovations could include under-display camera systems or hole-punch cameras, though these details are still subject to change. The design reportedly eschews a clamshell “Flip” approach in favor of a book-style fold, closely paralleling Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series, and will incorporate a titanium alloy hinge and casing aiming at premium build quality (9to5Mac).
Pricing, Market Strategy, and Tariff Pressures
Early price analyst projections, including those by Kuo, point to a premium price bracket—between $2,000 and $2,500—potentially higher if tariffs or supply chain challenges persist. For context, this places Apple’s foldable in a higher tier than most current Android foldables, setting competitive and consumer expectations accordingly (MacRumors, 9to5Mac, AppleInsider).
Kuo forecasts that the extensive production order may be intended to serve demand over two to three years, as the high price is likely to limit sales to early adopters and Apple loyalists. It is notable that Apple’s timeline and market approach mirror the company’s entrance strategies for previous major device categories—deliberately trailing rivals to refine technology and supply chains before committing to volume (historically seen with the iPhone and Apple Watch rollouts).
Broader Context: Apple’s Foldable Timing and Industry Slowdown
Foldable smartphones saw significant growth in recent years, but analysts—citing sales data for 2025—expect a market plateau or decline prior to Apple’s entrance (9to5Mac). Industry observers, including Kuo, posit that Apple’s large installed base and the promise of tighter iPhone ecosystem integration could stimulate market enthusiasm where other brands see waning interest.
Ongoing Uncertainties and Risk of Delays
Despite the advancing timeline, Kuo cautions that many crucial components—such as hinge mechanisms and under-display camera modules—have not been finalized, leaving open the possibility of production or release schedule adjustments (AppleInsider, MacRumors).
While the precise contours of Apple’s first foldable iPhone will remain fluid until production officially commences, the emerging details underscore a significant strategic play. Apple seems set to apply its hallmark blend of supply chain optimization, premium engineering, and ecosystem differentiation as the next chapter in its smartphone portfolio unfolds—literally and figuratively.