Apple's Foldable Phone May Launch In 2026: No Crease To Lightweight, What To Expect From Company's First-Ever Fold

While fans speculate rumours about the upcoming iPhones, rumours of a foldable device from Apple continue to brew in the leaks channel. After speculations of a foldable MacBook from Apple shared by TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, tipster Revegnus has pointed out a timeline for a possible launch of an upcoming Apple foldable product.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), tipster @Tech_Reve posted that the tech giant could launch a foldable iPhone in 2026. The X account cited a quote from an Apple official in an AlphaBiz report to substantiate its claim. According to the report, the company has completed the application for a display patent for a foldable iPhone and tablet to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Also Read: Apple Preparing A 'Foldable' Surprise On Its 20th Anniversary? Here's What Reports Suggest For 2027

The technology concerns minimising creases along the folding axis on a flexible display. The company may achieve this by cutting the screen so that it bends without any folding marks and filling the inner surface with polymer to reduce light reflection and make the surface smooth, according to the Patent. The report noted that the company plans to introduce foldable tech on iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and more products.

[Exclusive] Apple's Foldable Product Set for Release in 2026

According to a senior Apple official quoted by AlphaBiz, "After careful consideration, Apple has confirmed the release of its foldable iPhone for the later-than-expected year of 2026," stating, "Given the delayed…

— Revegnus (@Tech_Reve) March 8, 2024

The company has reportedly "decided to release it [foldable iPhone] in 2026...As it is a later launch than the competition, cutting-edge technologies will be integrated [translated from Korean]," the report added. Citing an Apple official, the report added that the foldable iPhone is expected to be "thinner and lighter than competitors" and "the goal is to prevent the crease marks, which competitors are struggling with."

Also Read: Apple Is Working On Two New Foldable Phone Prototypes, Claims Report

For the unversed, Apple's plan to launch a foldable remains under wraps due to their secretive nature. In recent reports, it was tipped that the company could introduce a tablet and not an iPhone as its first foldable device. Amid the reports of a halt on the company's foldable phone plans, Kuo speculated a folding MacBook laptop. The latest update brings some hope back for Apple fans.