I know there are a certain number of users / use cases that can benefit from a foldable phone. But that has to be a very limited number. There will be those that want one just because but I can’t recall ever thinking, “You know, I wish my phone was twice as thick and had a much more fragile screen”.
In an investor research note today with British bank Barclays, analyst Tim Long said Apple's first foldable iPhone could have a starting price in the $2,300 range in the United States, which would make it by far the most expensive iPhone model ever.
If the first foldable iPhone starts at $2,299, that means it would cost nearly twice as much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which starts at $1,199.
Long shared this pricing estimate following a recent trip to Asia, where his team met with hardware manufacturers. He said there is increasing discussion within the supply chain about a foldable iPhone launching in late 2026 to early 2027, but he believes that the device's higher starting price would unsurprisingly limit sales volume.
Earlier this month, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that the first foldable iPhone would be priced between $2,000 and $2,500, so multiple analysts agree that the device will cost at least a few thousand dollars. Kuo believes there could still be strong demand for the foldable iPhone despite its higher price, however, provided that the device's quality meets expectations. For example, Apple releasing a foldable smartphone without a visible crease in the screen would be a major breakthrough.
Kuo said the first foldable iPhone would feature a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch outer display, two rear cameras, one front camera, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and a high-density battery. He expects the device to be as thin as 4.5mm when unfolded, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when folded. He expects the device to have a titanium exterior, but the hinge would use a mix of titanium and stainless steel.
Kuo said the foldable iPhone would enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2026.
With the foldable iPhone at least a year and a half away, keep in mind that this pricing estimate is surely just an educated guess.
Article Link: Apple's First Foldable iPhone Estimated to Cost Nearly Twice as Much as iPhone 16 Pro Max
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Apple's First Foldable iPhone Estimated to Cost Nearly Twice as Much as iPhone 16 Pro Max
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Did I say Apple never makes mistakes? No. (Side note: probably not a bigger engineering fail than exploding laptop batteries).
My point was Apple doesn't chase the flavor or the year gimmicks that Android manufacturers do. They wait, let others experiment, and if someone else comes out with something that seems interesting, they refine it and make it better. We've seen this literally for decades at this point. Apple is hardly ever first to anything. They have always played in the fourth quarter, with a couple of notable exceptions that get all the attention.
They didn't make the first smartphone, or tablet, or smartwatch, or bluetooth headphone, etc. But when they enter the market, they frequently do it miles better than those currently doing it, who then all switch to copy Apple's product, claiming they're not copying but Apple's form factor/design is the "obvious" way to make the device, pretending people can't see what they were selling before Apple came to market.
Apple will almost never be first to the market, and nerds/power users on tech forums will angrily post about how Apple devices are overpriced or can't do as much as the competition, not understanding that most people don't care and many will happily pay more money for a well-designed software and hardware experience.
I expect the same thing with a foldable. Apple will take its time to make sure the product is right (more durable, no crease, etc.).
Yea, if it has an iPad mini size screen and another screen and the folding hardware and bigger battery etc., there is NO WAY for it to be the size and weight of a Pro Max. Simply not possible.
Prob wont make that this yr with their current fail with ios 18 and ai features. Not many have bought iphone 16e
"current fail with iOS 18"
what are you talking about? most people don't care about AI. also the 16e was never going to be bought by many people, same with how the SE was never bought in droves either.
Look at the heat theyre facing right now with them not featuring the siri and ai features they promised in ios 18. Every article this week has been "APPLE REALLY IS A MESS right now"
One need not be an Apple fan or understand how they operate in order to have an opinion on whether or not a new product is interesting enough for them to purchase, but yes some of the comments are over the top and melodramatic. At the end of the day each of us will vote with our wallets.
I do find foldable tablet phones intriguing but have never wanted to buy one since I find the aspect ratios when folded and unfolded to be a concern. Some users are okay with a more square aspect ratio when unfolded but since my primary use case is media consumption in landscape orientation a square aspect ratio results in more wasted space than on an iPad Mini. I will be interested to see what the final aspect ratios are like in Apple's upcoming foldable. As it stands today I have no issue having an iPhone and iPad Mini (both cellular) and opting to carry just the phone or both as needed.
Yea if they keep this up they wont be in business much longer. No one is gonna pay that much for a phone
Foldable is a gimmick - I don't care about them. It's just another aspect that can break.
Stop with the misinformation. Apple's not suddenly going to go out of business if they don't sell many foldables. That would require a massive nosedive in sales across all of their product lines, and that is about as likely as pigs somehow learning to fly.
This makes zero sense. I recently picked up an Honor Magic V3 folder with 12gb RAM, 512gb storage, supercharging, etc for $1349. Can apple match this with its folder? I’m really concerned about Apple’s direction and why Tim Cook is still ceo, he seriously needs to go.
foldable*
Also Honor is a budget brand. Not a high end brand. There's a difference. Samsung, which is Apple's primary competitor, charges around the same as Apple is planning on charging. Also, this is just a rumour. Not concrete information. Best not to believe each and every rumour that pops up out of the Apple rumour mill.
edit: it should also be said that apple could be pricing tariffs into the price considering Apple now has to pay a 20% tariff on everything they import into the U.S. as it comes from China and the Trump administration jacked up the tariff on Chinese goods to 20% and gave no exemptions to Apple.
Far from a budget brand. The Honor folder is just as nice in quality as my 16 Pro Max. Just with many more features than my iPhone. I see your point with all of these speculators. Creates more confusion and issues than if they just stayed quiet and let Apple themselves release information as they deem fit.
Tim needs to launch an Apple clothing line … Apple Pants - now with pockets big enough for your foldable! (Zipper sold separately)
We think you’re going to love it!!
We think you’re going to love it!!
The prices for size increases would be wild.They start at 28x28 and it’s $100 for each inch waste or inseam.
I'm a "Type B" person… You might get me to fold my underwear. My phone? Never!
You aren't paying attention to the current foldables if you think it will be twice as thick.
But those laptop batteries were made by a contractor
The butterfly keyboard was a redesign by Apple itself
For me it’s the crease, I think it could be challenging for my OCD tendencies. 😂😂
Foldable phones make little real world sense, but of course, it's a form factor Apple's competition have been selling and refining for a few years now, so of course, just like with AI, Tim Cook desperately wants to jump on the bandwagon of the next "trendy" thing, for fear of looking like the 'boomer 64 year old supply chain manager he is.
If this is something Apple thinks people will buy and that a demand exists, then let them do it.
Just please, please ensure that anything associated with it, software, hardware or AI, works as it should at the time of launch. Or simply hold off until it's ready.
Just please, please ensure that anything associated with it, software, hardware or AI, works as it should at the time of launch. Or simply hold off until it's ready.