• Source:JND

Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone is set to be one of the tech giant’s most ambitious projects yet, but it seems that getting your hands on one will not come easy. This is because Apple is allegedly facing production constraints as early as now, according to popular analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Although Apple is on target to launch the iPhone Fold during the second half of 2026, a smooth and mass adoption of the product might not be possible right away. According to Kuo's estimates, supply chain issues could persist until the end of 2026 and even carry over into 2027.

ASO READ: Apple Makes iOS 26 A One Way Update For iPhone Users, There's No Going Back Now!

“Development of the foldable iPhone is lagging behind schedule,” Kuo wrote in his research note.

The Woes of Productivity in Manufacturing Begin Early

This is almost exclusively linked to the difficulties in early production, something that has impacted almost all foldable phones to date. Foxconn is said to have initiated trial production at its plant in Guanlan, China, but this is still not stable.

Display production seems to be a significant bottleneck with a higher defective ratio than that of conventional smartphone displays. The manufacturers are yet to increase the production yield, which will affect the number of units that can be launched by Apple.

All these factors mean that even after the public announcement, distribution may remain small, especially in the first year.

Another thing that distinguishes it from the rest is its foldable design strategy. Unlike other brands, such as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip, the iPhone Fold will not fold vertically but like a book.

The hinge display was rumoured to be tipped at approximately 5.3 inches, while the inner fold display was tipped to go up to around 7.7 inches, giving users a compact iPad experience when it was unfolded.

Premium Materials, Premium Pricing

The foldable iPhone will be incorporating technology and materials supplied by companies such as Corning and Schott, while layered display elements will be provided by Lens Technology and Biel Crystal. Such a complicated design does not come cheap.

The price of the iPhone is estimated to go as high as $2,400 and may be the priciest iPhone yet from Apple.

ALSO READ: UK To Ask Apple And Google To Block Explicit Images Unless Age Is Verified, Report Reveals

Despite the obstacles, Kuo says that the foldable iPhone is important to the strategy of the Cupertino conglomerate. The larger display would be perfectly suited for multitasking and multimedia content usage and would serve the company well until display technology advances into the era of smart glasses.

If timelines are to be believed, the iPhone Fold series will be launched by Apple simultaneously with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max by autumn 2026, which will mark the most aggressive iPhone lineup rollout so far.


Also In News