Apple iPhone Fold Tipped to Cost Over $2,000, May Launch in 2026 With Creaseless Display

Main Image
  • Like
  • Comment
  • Share
TL; DR
  • According to fresh estimates from Arthur Liao, an analyst at Fubon Research, the first foldable iPhone could cost $2,399.
  • Multiple factors contribute to the iPhone Fold’s premium price tag. According to UDN, Apple has finally solved one of the biggest problems with foldable phones: the internal crease. Reports suggest that the handset could become the first foldable to ship with a creaseless screen.
  • If Apple decides to launch its first foldable at over $2,000, the company should keep in mind that Samsung offers 1TB of storage at this price point.

After years of rumors and anticipation, Apple is finally expected to release its first foldable iPhone next year. If everything goes well, we could see the iPhone Fold by the end of next year, with the most premium design, materials, and software experience Apple has to offer. However, with the premium design will come a hefty price tag.

Also Read: Moto G57 Power With Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 SoC And 7,000 mAh Battery Launched In India: Check Specs & Price

Apple iPhone Fold Could Cost Well Over $2,000

According to fresh estimates from Arthur Liao, an analyst at Fubon Research, the first foldable iPhone could cost $2,399. When converted into Indian currency, the cost is around Rs. 2.13 lakhs. Factor in the gap between global and Indian pricing, and we could be looking at a foldable that costs Rs. 2.25 to Rs. 2.35 in India.

This isn’t the first time someone has shared a premium price tag for the foldable iPhone. Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously claimed the iPhone Fold could cost between $2,000 and $2,500. In addition, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also predicts the price to be around $2,000.

From what it sounds like, the first iPhone Fold will be an expensive and premium device. The chances of Apple pricing the handset below $2,000 are pretty slim at this point, and it’s not like the company runs any aggressive introductory offers (except for cashbacks in the Indian market, which have recently been cut down from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 1,000 for the iPhone 17).

Also Read: The Realme 16 Pro Just Leaked, And Its Battery Specs Are Ridiculous

Factors Contributing To The Premium iPhone Fold Price

Multiple factors contribute to the iPhone Fold’s premium price tag. According to UDN, Apple has finally solved one of the biggest problems with foldable phones: the internal crease. Reports suggest that the handset could become the first foldable to ship with a creaseless screen.

Previously, we’ve heard rumors about Apple partnering with Samsung to fix the crease issue for good. However, the company could also be working with two more suppliers, including Amphenol and Shin Zu Shing. The Cupertino giant has reportedly developed a new panel structure, a material processing technique, and a new lamination method.

Apple is also rumored to deploy liquid metal in the foldable’s hinge, making it structurally sound. The phone’s price is higher than that of other iPhones or foldable phones because of its premium materials.

Also Read: realme GT 8 Pro vs. OnePlus 15 vs. Oppo Find X9: A Battle of Flagship Power, Cameras, and Battery Life

If Apple decides to launch its first foldable at over $2,000, the company should keep in mind that Samsung offers 1TB of storage at this price point. The Galaxy Z Fold 7, the company’s best foldable to date, offers 1TB of storage for a marked price of $2,419.99 (currently retailing for $2,019.99).

Regarding the iPhone Fold’s expected launch, the foldable could break cover at the September 2026 event alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max. However, the baseline iPhone 18, the iPhone 18e, and the successor to the iPhone Air could arrive in spring 2027 as part of the company’s new product cycle.

You can follow Smartprix on TwitterFacebookInstagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the latest tech and auto newsreviews, and guides.

Shikhar MehrotraShikhar Mehrotra
Shikhar Mehrotra is a seasoned technology writer and reviewer with over five years of experience covering consumer tech across India and global markets. At Smartprix, he has authored more than 1,700 articles, including news stories, features, comparisons, and product reviews spanning automobiles, smartphones, chipsets, wearables, laptops, home appliances, and operating systems. Shikhar has reviewed flagship devices such as the iPhone 16, Galaxy S25+, and Sennheiser HD 505 Open-Ear headphones. He also contributes regularly to Smartprix’s growing automotive section.

With a deep understanding of both iOS and Android ecosystems, Shikhar specializes in daily tech news, how-to explainers, product comparisons, and in-depth reviews. His DSLR photography in product reviews is recognized as among the best on the team.

Before joining Smartprix, Shikhar wrote for leading publications including Forbes Advisor India, Republic World, and ScreenRant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Lucknow.

Related Articles

ImageThe Realme 16 Pro Just Leaked, And It’s Battery Specs Are Ridiculous

Realme isn’t waiting around. Despite the Realme 15 series launching just months ago, the company is already clearing the runway for the Realme 16 Pro. A new listing on China’s TENAA certification site (under model number RMX5121) has effectively confirmed the phone’s existence and its most surprising spec: a massive battery that could set a …

ImageApple MacBook Air M5 Tipped for Early 2026 Launch: What to Expect

Apple’s upcoming MacBook Air M5 is reportedly set to arrive between March and May 2026, marking a delay from the originally expected October 2025 debut. The lineup will include 13-inch and 15-inch variants, with pricing starting at $999 and $1,199 respectively. MacBook Air M5 Specs  Powered by Apple’s base M5 chip fabricated on TSMC’s 3nm …

ImageiQOO 15 Finally Puts Android on Par with Apple’s Display Brilliance, and I’m Excited

The upcoming iQOO 15 might just redefine what Android displays can do. Using Samsung’s iPhone-grade M14 OLED tech, it promises the kind of clarity, brightness, and efficiency once reserved for Apple’s flagships. I haven’t seen the display in person yet, but judging by what we’ve learned from its China launch, iQOO may have pulled off …

ImageMing-Chi Kuo: Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Could Cost Over $2,000, Touch ID, and Crease-Free Display

Ming-Chi Kuo has spilled the details on Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most ambitious—and expensive—iPhones yet. According to Kuo, Apple is positioning this device as a “true AI-driven phone,” using its large display to enable multitasking and AI-powered features. But don’t expect it anytime soon—it won’t hit …

ImageApple’s First Touchscreen MacBook Pro With OLED Display Could Launch in 2026

Most recently, the Cupertino giant Apple refreshed the baseline 14-inch MacBook Pro with its new M5 chip. While the new chipset gave the MacBook a performance boost, the company didn’t upgrade a key aspect: the display. A hot minute after the launch, reports about the first MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen (yes, a touchscreen) …

Discuss

Be the first to leave a comment.