Published : 09 Sep 2026, 03:30 AM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:48 AM
Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone this week, seven years after Samsung's Galaxy Fold went on sale.
While Apple has not officially confirmed the device or a release date, Sept 9 is widely tipped as the most likely launch date, The Verge reported.
According to CNET, the folding iPhone is expected to launch above $2,000 and may be named the iPhone Ultra instead of the long-rumoured iPhone Fold, positioning it above the Pro lineup.
The device is expected to be short, wide and squat, roughly the size of a passport, according to leaks cited by The Verge.
Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi have all released similarly shaped foldables in recent months, with Oppo and Honor also tipped to follow, The Verge reported.
Although Apple's device has not yet been officially unveiled, reports suggest the company has been developing a foldable iPhone since at least 2017.
The Verge reported Samsung is likely to have known of Apple's plans well in advance, as it is reportedly the manufacturer of the foldable display used inside the new iPhone.
Apple has triggered similar imitations before, from last year's iPhone Air to March's MacBook Neo, quickly followed by comparable designs from rivals including Samsung, Lenovo and Dell.
Foldables made up just 1.6 percent of smartphone sales in 2025, but shipments are set to grow 20 percent this year, with Apple projected to capture a 28 percent share within months, according to Counterpoint data.
The launch also marks the first major hardware release under new Apple CEO John Ternus, previously the company's head of hardware engineering.
