We will see how it will turn out in incoming months from Apple. All rumors should be taken as grain of salts. 😂🤣
Apple's iPhone Fold development is progressing smoothly and the device is set to launch during the standard September iPhone timeframe, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The iPhone Fold will be available for sale "around the same time" or "soon after" the iPhone 18 Pro models.
Gurman's report contradicts information from Japanese site Nikkei that suggested iPhone Fold engineering delays could push the device's launch into 2027, and he says that Nikkei's report is "off base." The site said that Apple is running into engineering problems that are more complex and taking longer to resolve than anticipated.
Just two weeks ago, Gurman himself said that the iPhone Fold was likely to ship later than the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, but it appears Apple's plans have changed.
The intricate design of the iPhone Fold's display could limit available supply, which is in line with information from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In December, Kuo said that production challenges could limit supply and result in iPhone Fold shortages, but he did not mention a launch delay.
Gurman says that while Apple currently intends to start selling the iPhone Fold alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, the company's plans could change and "timing isn't final."
Mass production on the iPhone Fold has not yet begun, and the device is still in the engineering verification phase. Yesterday, leaked info suggested Apple had begun trial production. With multiple reports coming out about early manufacturing tests, it sounds like Apple is moving through its standard launch process. Additional people at the company's partner factories have likely gained access to the device, leading to an uptick in leaks and the mixed information we're hearing about launch timelines.
Since the iPhone Fold is an all-new device and the most interesting iPhone that Apple has launched in over a decade, we can expect a constant stream of rumors from now until September.
The first alleged iPhone Fold dummy models were spotted today, though the dummy devices look almost identical to 3D printed mockups that a MacRumors forum member drew up based on rumors back in May 2025. We may soon see more detailed dummy models and part leaks.
The iPhone Fold will have a ~5.5-inch display when folded, and a ~7.8-inch display when open. It will be around 4.5mm thick, and it will feature a 4:3 aspect ratio, which will make it similar to an iPad in design. It will be wider and shorter than other foldable smartphones on the market.
What we know so far about the iPhone Fold is summarized in our dedicated iPhone Fold roundup.
Article Link: iPhone Fold Expected to Launch on Time in September Despite Delay Rumors
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone Fold Expected to Launch on Time in September Despite Delay Rumors
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Drumming up the hype like always. Apple playbook 101. Then right before launch they will claim it will be in short supply to really get the lemmings to rush out and buy one on pre-order.
Apple MessagePad
macrumors regular
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
The point isn't to be correct, it's to get people talking about it.
Mission Accomplished
I feel like I may be the only one on these forums actually interested in this… just a gut feeling 🤣
Could never see what the uproar is about a eh flip phone lol or a phone that opens and becomes an iPad mini. Guess it will be a hit for some.
Black_Mage
Contributor
Schrödinger's iPhone is late and on time at the same time. - Neil deGrasse Tyson
IJ Reilly
macrumors P6
Mac Fly (film)
macrumors 68040
iPhone Ultra will be a quantum leap for the industry, being the first foldable without “Fold” in its name, turning the page on boring old foldables. Space-time and marketing will fold in on itself, collapsing timelines and creating a new reality for everyone in the galaxy, including Luke Skywalker when he comes here on the rare occasion he has the weekend off.
You know whats really happening...its very simple...THESE INSIDERS CREATE DRAMA AND DELAYS TO KEEP THE ATTENTION ON THEMSELVES when none exists. First off lets keep this in mind, APPLE NEVER ONCE SAID THEY WERE BUILDING A FOLDABLE IPHONE...Apple almost never anounces products before they are ready to release. I think the only exception to that was the AirPower Matt charger and when they coulden't get it to work they learned their lession and shifted to MagSafe. Other then that, Apple never tells you anything offically about the next iphone until they are ready to sell it within 2 weeks or so.
So these insider analysis do actual work yes, finding out about parts and resorces and manufacturing things, sure...but they only tell you half truths that way they are as vague as they can be, so if they are wrong, they haven't comitted to one thing or another, and half the time they are wrong anyways.
Now what they do, is say "oh it will be in short supply, its hard to build, it will be delayed by this many months, etc" when that might not be the full story, but they do that to keep the attention on themselves too so they have a reputation and are known in the rumor mills, even if they are wrong.
Yes, manufacturing issues happen all the time. Shipments of say, hinges or screens or battery components might miss deadlines or what have you, but they usually work themselves out. You might not get your full order of Iphone Fold hinges all on the week they were supposed to arrive, but then you get 2/3rds of them one week, the rest plus more a few weeks later.
So yes the first batch of phones to hit the market might be smaller then what they wanted, sure, but that doesn't necessarly mean they delay all of them by 2 months. They might sell out within the first week, then get more 2 weeks later and release those.
Yet the analysis claim a victory anyways cause they posted a half truth based off a possability, not a fact.
So these insider analysis do actual work yes, finding out about parts and resorces and manufacturing things, sure...but they only tell you half truths that way they are as vague as they can be, so if they are wrong, they haven't comitted to one thing or another, and half the time they are wrong anyways.
Now what they do, is say "oh it will be in short supply, its hard to build, it will be delayed by this many months, etc" when that might not be the full story, but they do that to keep the attention on themselves too so they have a reputation and are known in the rumor mills, even if they are wrong.
Yes, manufacturing issues happen all the time. Shipments of say, hinges or screens or battery components might miss deadlines or what have you, but they usually work themselves out. You might not get your full order of Iphone Fold hinges all on the week they were supposed to arrive, but then you get 2/3rds of them one week, the rest plus more a few weeks later.
So yes the first batch of phones to hit the market might be smaller then what they wanted, sure, but that doesn't necessarly mean they delay all of them by 2 months. They might sell out within the first week, then get more 2 weeks later and release those.
Yet the analysis claim a victory anyways cause they posted a half truth based off a possability, not a fact.
SiXiam
macrumors member
chars1ub0w
macrumors 6502a
In 2025, about 20 million folding smartphones were sold. And they're not inexpensive at all.
In 2026, that figure should jump 30% according to IDC.
I don't think it's a reach that Apple sells 10 million foldable phones in its first year even at $2,000-2,500.
Should be plenty profitable. Compare that to the margins they're making on a $599 Mac Neo.
In 2026, that figure should jump 30% according to IDC.
I don't think it's a reach that Apple sells 10 million foldable phones in its first year even at $2,000-2,500.
Should be plenty profitable. Compare that to the margins they're making on a $599 Mac Neo.
SiXiam
macrumors member
It's hard to say. I think 10 million is certainly too much. I think of it in terms of the vision pro where they sold like half a million the first year. But of course a phone is going to sell more. So I would think maybe 2 million. Probably a lot of people like me where as soon as I saw the rumored price it made me go buy an iPad Pro M5. Better value in having an iPhone and an iPad that is way more functional than a folding phone. Also I need my optical zoom on my phone. Not sure if the fold has that.
chars1ub0w
macrumors 6502a
Fact is that 20 million people did buy extremely expensive folding phones. So the market is there. Well, let's see.
The Vision Pro is different and rather special, a completely new category and from $3,499. By contrast, people know what they're getting in an iPhone, and already are willing to pay $1,000+ for that.
reyesmac
macrumors 65816
If it refuses to run Mac OS I will refuse to buy it. Not because Mac OS on a phone is a must have, but because it makes the phone the one thing someone would need when they can't lug a laptop around and thats the only way to get cellular on a Mac without sharing hotspots or all kinds of setup. Imagine being able to keep working on something no matter where you are. Talking Xcode here not some finger controlled app. An iPad isnt any more useful than a phone when you have to pay a full price of an iPad to get a phone that folds out the size of an iPad. But being able to run everything including a command line from a pocket Mac, thats power. With M series chips it should be very nice to use while plugged in.
chars1ub0w
macrumors 6502a
10 million people may buy it anyway. Your refusal hasn't made Apple make iPads run macOS, which I also want, why would they even care about macOS on a folding phone?
Dark_Omen
macrumors 65816
CATiNTHESTORE
Suspended
Garmin will release new foldable iPhone according to blimbirg sneakers article.
