Apple Foldable Phone Expected by 2026

Apple is widely expected to enter the foldable smartphone market before the end of 2026, with its first foldable handset anticipated to become available for purchase to the general public within that timeframe. The device would represent one of the most significant changes to Apple’s smartphone strategy since the launch of the iPhone, as the company moves into a category already pursued by several major Android manufacturers.

The product may debut under the iPhone brand or as a closely related Apple smartphone line, depending on the company’s final positioning. Industry attention is likely to focus on the device’s display durability, hinge design, software adaptation and pricing, all areas where Apple is expected to emphasize polish and reliability over being first to market.

A release by December 31, 2026, would place Apple in direct competition with established foldable devices from Samsung, Google and other handset makers. It could also help revive momentum in the premium smartphone segment, where hardware design changes have become more incremental in recent years.