Foldable iPhone and iPad to Enter Production Next Year, Analyst Says

[MacRumors]

Apple's first two foldable devices recently entered the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn, according to analyst Jeff Pu.

In a research note today with GF Securities, Pu said mass production of the foldable devices is slated to begin in the second half of 2026.

The analyst believes the foldable devices will enter an early prototyping stage this April.

Pu did not provide any specific details about the two foldable devices. He is likely referring to Apple's first foldable iPhone, which is rumored to have up to an 8-inch inner display, along with a foldable iPad with up to a 19-inch screen.

Pu said the iPhone shipment outlook in 2025 is expected to be "lukewarm," due in part to Apple delaying personalized Siri features until some point "in the coming year." Looking ahead, he expects the foldable devices to boost Foxconn's business in 2026.

Rumors about foldable iPhones and iPads have been circulating for many years, and it appears that the devices are finally getting closer to launching, barring major setbacks. Depending on exactly when mass production begins in the second half of 2026, the devices could launch either later next year, or at some point in 2027.

Article Link: Foldable iPhone and iPad to Enter Production Next Year, Analyst Says

 

[sw1tcher]

In a research note today with GF Securities, Pu said mass production of the foldable devices is slated to begin in the second half of 2026.

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[anthogag]

Will the front camera go back to portrait orientation for a foldable iPad?

 

[jfreedle2]

I know a few people will be looking forward to this, but I think thus far foldable devices have been a dud.

 

[acblue94]

I know a few people will be looking forward to this, but I think thus far foldable devices have been a dud.

A dud because of that crease down the center.

 

[DHagan4755]

I'm not sure about this until I see it in person. Also, I don't necessarily want something thicker in my pocket.

"Is that a foldable iPhone in your pocket are you just glad to see me?"

 

[EugW]

My wife will be up for a new iPhone in 2027, so a version 2.0 foldable may be on the radar. How much though? 256 GB for US$1999? I don't want to spend that much money, but I'd consider perhaps $1599.

 

[marinersaptcomplex]

A foldable iPhone that is 6.3” folded and 12” open doesn’t interest me—but a flip iPhone that is 3” in my pocket does…

 

[EugW]

A foldable iPhone that is 6.3” folded and 12” open doesn’t interest me—but a flip iPhone that is 3” in my pocket does…

That would be interesting too. They have become commonplace as product placement in Korean TV dramas BTW, so it appears Samsung thinks there is a decent market for them.

 

[AndreDC]

Why am I worried this will be another Siri...

 

[springsup]

Tim Cook’s next disaster, after every other trend Apple has chased also ended in failure.

Virtual reality? Failed
Smart cars? Failed
Artificial Intelligence? Failed

Now, with ideas as scarce as they ever were, they jump on the foldables bandwagon…

 

[dampfnudel]

My wife will be up for a new iPhone in 2027, so a version 2.0 foldable may be on the radar. How much though? 256 GB for US$1999? I don't want to spend that much money, but I'd consider perhaps $1599.

If the 256GB version is priced at $2K, the 1TB version will be closing in on $3K with tax. This folding iPhone will be the Vision Pro of smartphones and just as (un)successful.

 

[SnowPenguin]

Normally, I wouldn't trust anything coming from an "analyst", but I hope this is true. I want this kind of devices to become mainstream, and I can't think of any better way for that to happen than Apple releasing one.

 

[delsoul]

They seem like a joke, but get the right folding phone and they’re awesome. Picked up an Honor Magic V3 recently and I honestly hope Apple has their A game ready because that Honor is A LOT of phone for the price. Incredible value no doubt about it. 12gb ram, supercharging, 512gb standard, etc for $1349 USD. It’ll be interesting to see if Apple can match these specs for the same price.

 

[dampfnudel]

Why am I worried this will be another Siri...

Actually, it might be worse.

 

[Daalseth]

In the tech world, beyond a six months to a year everyone's crystal ball is full of smoke.

 

[dampfnudel]

They seem like a joke, but get the right folder and they’re awesome. Picked up an Honor Magic V3 recently and I honestly hope Apple has their A game ready because that Honor is A LOT of phone for the price. Incredible value no doubt about it. 12gb ram, supercharging, 512gb standard, etc for $1349 USD. It’ll be interesting to see if Apple can match these specs for the same price.

Add the $1K Apple tax.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Answers to questions nobody is asking. Since I almost exclusively use my iPad for media consumption, I'm probably replacing it with a Fire tablet, since that's cheaper.

 

[frownface]

That would be interesting too. They have become commonplace as product placement in Korean TV dramas BTW, so it appears Samsung thinks there is a decent market for them.

They sell about 5 million foldable devices a year apparently, so people do buy them.

 

[jz0309]

I can wait for the foldable iPhone in 2026, my 13PM is going strong

 

[nfl46]

The price, though. Foldable iPhone starting at $1,999; Foldable iPad starting at $2,499.

 

[SAIRUS]

I think when it gets cheaper to have a foldable than a stand alone tablet and phone…things will get interesting.

When they can get a little more durable, you’ll have my attention.

That said…Tim Cook can’t sell anything that isn’t a huge variation of a device Steve Jobs made…so there is a chance here.

Watch…shrunk down phone…success. Process driven.
M line of chips…same laptops…just way better. Process driven, but made an existing line way better.
Apple Vision Pro…failing with consumers. Seems like AR…a process that with phones is driven by Pokémon Go? People need to hold a device and put it in front of their line of sight. Your arm will eventually get tired, and people’s attention span is getting shorter by the minu-oh look squirrel.
Siri…never in the realm of Amazon, Google and now Microsoft. Stuck in the Jobs view of privacy and can’t get cloud services to spin up fast enough.
The Car…couldn’t even get it out of the driveway. Maybe to focused on the process?


He is not a product guy, he is a process guy, a COO that got promoted by very sad circumstances. He reacts to what his board tells him to do. They say AI, he slaps it on as quickly as possible.

What has he done with Apple that has changed people’s lives for the better?

 

[dampfnudel]

They sell about 5 million foldable devices a year apparently, so people do buy them.

Yes, but how many will buy Apple’s version it if it’s priced significantly higher than Samsung? That’s the question. Ready to pay $2.3K for a 512GB version or $2.6K for 1TB?

 

[davidangel]

Apple's first two foldable devices recently entered the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn, according to analyst Jeff Pu.

In a research note today with GF Securities, Pu said mass production of the foldable devices is slated to begin in the second half of 2026.

The analyst believes the foldable devices will enter an early prototyping stage this April.

Pu did not provide any specific details about the two foldable devices. He is likely referring to Apple's first foldable iPhone, which is rumored to have up to an 8-inch inner display, along with a foldable iPad with up to a 19-inch screen.

Pu said the iPhone shipment outlook in 2025 is expected to be "lukewarm," due in part to Apple delaying personalized Siri features until some point "in the coming year." Looking ahead, he expects the foldable devices to boost Foxconn's business in 2026.

Rumors about foldable iPhones and iPads have been circulating for many years, and it appears that the devices are finally getting closer to launching, barring major setbacks. Depending on exactly when mass production begins in the second half of 2026, the devices could launch either later next year, or at some point in 2027.

Article Link: Foldable iPhone and iPad to Enter Production Next Year, Analyst Says

I don’t want one.

 

[baconcat_8964]

I love how the Vergecast comments on foldable phones: "If you cannot afford to buy two phones out of the store, then you should not buy a foldable phone for now."