Gurman: First Foldable iPhone 'Should Be on the Market by 2027' [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Apple's first foldable iPhone will have a "nearly invisible" display crease and should be on the market by 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said that some people at Apple consider the foldable iPhone to be one of two major two-decade anniversary initiatives – the other being a mostly glass, curved iPhone without any cutouts in the display, due later the same year.

Gurman's latest comments appear to indicate a shift in his position about the launch schedule of the foldable device. In March, Gurman said Apple's foldable iPhone could be arriving "as early as 2026." Then again in March, Gurman said: "I expect the company to launch its own foldable phone next year," suggesting his conviction had strengthened that 2026 would indeed be the year of the foldable iPhone.

In April, however, Gurman's reporting about the roadmap of Apple's foldable devices became more obscure. Describing a "major shake-up" for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, Gurman said that Apple plans to launch a foldable iPhone alongside a "bold" new iPhone Pro model that makes more extensive use of glass.

Given that Gurman had previously said he expects Apple's first foldable iPhone to be released next year, logic seemed to dictate that the "foldable version" he now said was coming in 2027 would be a second iteration of that model.

This no longer appears to be the case. Gurman did not give any explanation as to why his latest reporting has changed on the launch schedule of the foldable.

According to a recent report by The Information and a roadmap prediction by industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple does intend to launch its first foldable iPhone in the second half of next year, so there is still hope that, despite Gurman silently walking back his earlier reporting, we might get a foldable device from Apple as soon as 2026.

• Foldable iPhone Expected Next Year: All the Rumored Features So Far

The device is expected to have a book-style design with a 5.7-inch outer display when closed and an inner display close to eight inches when open. As for pricing, Gurman expects the device to be around $2,000.

Update: Gurman has since clarified his position on the foldable iPhone's launch timing, saying his column "is talking about items that will either launch or be in market for 2027. It'll launch end of '26 and sell mostly in '27."

Article Link: Gurman: First Foldable iPhone 'Should Be on the Market by 2027' [Updated]

 

[ronrather]

What's the OS? Personally, I think they should make a phone which can be plugged into a display port monitor (which charges it too) which changes to macOS when plugged in - macOS on the monitor. Also, the phone (face down on the table) doubles as a mouse. So you can carry everything with you in your foldable mousephone, and use macOS whenever there's a monitor available, or fold out to use iPadOS. It's just an idea, Tim. Maybe a new rainbow watchstrap is more likely.

 

[Mackan]

What's the OS? Personally, I think they should make a phone which can be plugged into a display port monitor (which charges it too) which changes to macOS when plugged in - macOS on the monitor. Also, the phone (face down on the table) doubles as a mouse. So you can carry everything with you in your foldable mousephone, and use macOS whenever there's a monitor available, or fold out to use iPadOS. It's just an idea, Tim. Maybe a new rainbow watchstrap is more likely.

Anything that makes sense won't happen. OS is MaximizeProfitsOS.

 

[subjonas]

What's the OS? Personally, I think they should make a phone which can be plugged into a display port monitor (which charges it too) which changes to macOS when plugged in - macOS on the monitor. Also, the phone (face down on the table) doubles as a mouse. So you can carry everything with you in your foldable mousephone, and use macOS whenever there's a monitor available, or fold out to use iPadOS. It's just an idea, Tim. Maybe a new rainbow watchstrap is more likely.

Anything that makes sense won't happen. OS is MaximizeProfitsOS.

I’m pretty sure macOS would run terribly on a phone.

 

[Tripps9000]

This is definitely one phone I will be staying away from not really a fan of foldable phones 😖

 

[Pezimak]

2027.. sounds like another Apple TV to me, not the streaming boxes but the supposed actual televisions Apple was going to launch.
I may be interested in it but not at the no doubt 2 grand price tag it'll have... and also not till it's on it's third gen at least.

 

[MayaUser]

"nearly invisible"
so almost like the others....

 

[MayaUser]

I’m pretty sure macOS would run terribly on a phone.

macOS was limited by the Ram, so if the foldable will have 16gb ram, would run ok...but limited since the foldable will have small room for the heat. I still think the ipad pro is the first device that can run macOS decent, because of size

 

[MayaUser]

What's the OS? Personally, I think they should make a phone which can be plugged into a display port monitor (which charges it too) which changes to macOS when plugged in - macOS on the monitor. Also, the phone (face down on the table) doubles as a mouse. So you can carry everything with you in your foldable mousephone, and use macOS whenever there's a monitor available, or fold out to use iPadOS. It's just an idea, Tim. Maybe a new rainbow watchstrap is more likely.

your idea is ok, like samsung dex..but remember we are talking about macOS and not ipadOS when its plugged into display. macOS to run decent needs 8/16gb ram, that can be accomplished but they need the M series and what we do about heat inside? we cannot compare the internal size of an 13" Macbook air with an foldable iphone

 

[MrRom92]

I am definitely FAR more interested in the premium all glass pro concept than a foldable. At least they are giving us options

 

[knappeduivel]

Anything that makes sense won't happen. OS is MaximizeProfitsOS.

I am pretty sure the OP was not serious. It did not make any sense and it was designed to be so.

 

[knappeduivel]

This is definitely one phone I will be staying away from not really a fan of foldable phones 😖

I admit they are scary but you should realize the foldable phone can be unfolded too! Also they don't seem to need fans.

 

[Sundaypapers123]

I like the idea of an iPhone that folds out into an iPad mini. I could definitely find room in my life for such a gadget. But not if it's £2k. For that sort of money, I'd rather have a Macbook.

 

[The Game 161]

Will certainly replace my pro max

 

[racerhomie]

So much reporting on a damn Prototype that will never make it to market!

 

[AppleTO]

What's the OS?

Exactly the same thing as now, just an iOS/iPadOS hybrid.

 

[Lizzard899]

Gurman seems to not be a credible source. Hes been caught too many times this year walking back his statements about ios and iphones. DONT BELIEVE HIM

 

[klasma]

MacRumors should really update their picture to match the leaked aspect ratios.

 

[1037]

oh nice, a foldable tablet.

 

[kylelerner]

iPhone 18 Double Pro Max Ultra Sandwich

 

[UltimaKilo]

What's the OS? Personally, I think they should make a phone which can be plugged into a display port monitor (which charges it too) which changes to macOS when plugged in - macOS on the monitor. Also, the phone (face down on the table) doubles as a mouse. So you can carry everything with you in your foldable mousephone, and use macOS whenever there's a monitor available, or fold out to use iPadOS. It's just an idea, Tim. Maybe a new rainbow watchstrap is more likely.

Someday in the next5-10 years your idea will be viable. For right now, phones are not capable of running a full MacOS.

 

[djstile]

What will release first: GTA VI, the foldable iPhone, or Star Citizen.

 

[svish]

Waiting to see the foldable from Apple. Interesting updates are coming to the iPhone! Hopefully the cameras on the Fold will be good.

 

[darngooddesign]

What's the OS?

Either iOS with some iPadOS features or iPadOS with the phone app.

Personally, I think they should make a phone which can be plugged into a display port monitor (which charges it too) which changes to macOS when plugged in - macOS on the monitor.

If you want your phone to overheat and throttle while running MaOS apps then sure.

Also, the phone (face down on the table) doubles as a mouse.

That’s a good way to scratch the external screen which would be rubbing against the desk. Also, the cable you need to connect to the screen would cause the USB jack to wobble inside the port, creating long term reliability issues. Face up as a trackpad would solve some of the issues, assuming the phone doesn’t wobble at all.

 

[ThaGoochiestMane]

What's the OS? Personally, I think they should make a phone which can be plugged into a display port monitor (which charges it too) which changes to macOS when plugged in - macOS on the monitor. Also, the phone (face down on the table) doubles as a mouse. So you can carry everything with you in your foldable mousephone, and use macOS whenever there's a monitor available, or fold out to use iPadOS. It's just an idea, Tim. Maybe a new rainbow watchstrap is more likely.

Even if I have to switch from Windows completely, it'll be worth it to finally see Microsoft's vision for Windows Phone's Continuum comes to life (albeit on an iPhone). It always seemed like the logical evolution of mobile devices, but Apple has been so focused on selling customers multiple products.