Apple folds into foldables with a 2026 plan

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlines Apple's foldable iPhone with four cameras and a built in modem.

Apple prepares foldable iPhone for 2026 launch

Apple is reported to be moving a foldable iPhone into its long term plan with a launch eyed for 2026. The device would open like a book to reveal a larger inner screen and would carry four cameras, including two on the back and a front facing camera on the opened panel. It would drop the SIM card slot and rely on Apple own C1 modem for connectivity, while Touch ID would replace Face ID to save space when closed. The first foldable is expected to be offered in black or white and mass production could begin early next year, ahead of a fall 2026 release.

Analysts flag that price will be a make or break factor. Industry insiders note that current foldables carry high price tags, and Apple may face pressure to balance premium design with consumer value. A 2027 design overhaul is also on the slate, with curved glass edges and a refreshed interface that aims to harmonize hardware and software across devices.

The move signals Apple leaning into a platform shift rather than a single device upgrade. A foldable iPhone tests a core assumption about the brand: that customers want consistency across form factors without sacrificing performance. By combining a slim profile with a four camera layout and in house modem, Apple is trying to control the experience end to end, not just the optics. The price question will determine whether this is a niche luxury or a blueprint for broad adoption, especially as competitors push aggressively on foldable pricing.

Highlights

The future of the iPhone may hinge on price as much as on form and function.