- By Alex David
- Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:02 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The foldable market has been maturing quietly, but everybody’s been waiting for one company to step in and shake the table. And if early leaks hold up, Apple’s iPhone Fold might do exactly that. The phone is expected to arrive in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, slotting into a brand-new category for Apple and instantly becoming its most premium device. With a tablet-sized inner display, revived Touch ID, a brand-new hinge design and the rumoured highest battery capacity ever in an iPhone, this one looks like a very big swing.
Below is a complete breakdown of everything we know so far.
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iPhone Fold: Launch Timeline (Expected)
Most industry reports point to September 2026, right alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max.
That lines up perfectly with Apple’s usual launch pattern — second week of September, major keynote, big push into the holiday cycle.
If this timeline sticks, the iPhone Fold will land in a market that already has Samsung, OnePlus, Honor and Xiaomi foldables… but still feels incomplete without Apple’s version.
iPhone Fold: Price (Expected)
Let’s be honest: this thing won’t be cheap.
US price: Expected around $2,400
India price: Likely around ₹2,15,000
That makes it Apple’s most expensive iPhone ever, surpassing even the Pro Max models. The pricing makes sense — foldable displays, reinforced hinges, custom camera hardware and larger batteries all push the cost up.
iPhone Fold: Specifications (Expected)
Displays
Main inner display: ~7.8 inches
Outer cover display: ~5.5 inches
The big focus?
Durability and a crease-free experience.
Apple is reported to be employing new materials and an entirely redesigned hinge to ensure smooth folding action and long-term use, a challenge the industry still struggles with.
ALSO READ: iPhone 18 Pro: Early Leaks Hint At Bigger Battery, Under-Display Face ID And A Major Chip Upgrade
Design + Biometrics
Apple may bring back Touch ID, this time via a side-mounted sensor.
It makes sense — you want a way to unlock the device easily whether it’s folded or open.
Face ID is still expected, but having both unlock methods would give the Fold extra flexibility.
Cameras
This is where things get interesting.
Main display: Rumoured 24MP under-display selfie camera (a first for Apple)
Cover screen: Standard punch-hole selfie camera
Rear cameras: Two 48MP lenses
Apple could bring its devices even closer to perfection by installing an ultra-high quality under-display camera, as this would result in an interior screen without any obstruction - no notch, hole punches or anything that breaks immersion.
Battery
Apple is currently testing batteries with over 5,000mAh capacity, which would make this iPhone's battery the largest yet.
Foldable devices demand additional power, particularly with two large displays; thus this surge is both expected and necessary.
High-density cells are likely part of the design to manage size and weight.
Why This Launch Matters
If everything here pans out, the iPhone Fold becomes more than just a “first foldable” — it becomes Apple’s attempt to redefine the category:
- Bigger battery than any past iPhone
- First under-display camera on an Apple device
- New hinge tech
- Dual unlock methods
- A tablet-like main screen with Apple’s ecosystem behind it
And because Apple tends to enter markets only when it feels it can dominate them, expectations are understandably high.
Final Thoughts
The iPhone Fold looks like Apple’s biggest leap in years. The pricing will be unapologetically premium, but this is clearly a statement device — the kind of product that marks the start of a new direction rather than a single-year experiment. If the rumours hold, 2026 might be the year Apple finally gives foldables the mainstream push the category has been waiting for.
