
Apple’s multi-year hardware roadmap has revealed a strategic phased entry into the foldable smartphone market, commencing with the debut of its long-rumored first-generation foldable iPhone. Industry supply chain reports indicate that Apple plans to debut a book-style foldable—tentatively dubbed the “iPhone Fold” or “iPhone Ultra”—alongside the flagship iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September 2026. Designed to function as an iPhone-iPad hybrid, the device is expected to boast a 5.5-inch cover screen that unfolds into a 7.8-inch inner display, utilizing a custom liquid-metal hinge and advanced display panel engineered to eliminate visible screen creasing. Powered by Apple’s next-generation 2nm A20 Pro chipset, the ultra-thin, high-end foldable will target power users with an estimated price tag exceeding $2,000. Following the initial 2026 release, Apple’s broader roadmap signals an ambitious expansion through 2027 and 2028, incorporating a second-generation foldable alongside a bezel-less 20th-anniversary iPhone equipped with micro-curved display technology, underscoring Cupertino’s commitment to dominating premium form-factor innovation.
