It has almost become an open secret that Apple is working on a foldable smartphone as one of its next endeavors. Of course, the company has yet to officially announce any such tech, but it seems like an obvious gap in the market as far as Apple products go. Fresh reports suggest that a foldable iPhone could be in consumers’ hands sometime in 2026, two years after we first started hearing rumors of foldable-screen Apple hardware.

Last month, during Apple’s annual WWDC, two senior employees were quizzed on the possibility of a foldable iPhone, to which they sheepishly replied, “Who’s to say?”. The non-committal response only fueled rumors even more – not just limited to the iPhone, but a foldable iPad in the future, too.

Apple is reportedly working on a foldable iPhone

The report, which originates from Taiwanese publication DigiTimes, claims that Apple started working on the first prototype (P1) for a foldable iPhone in June. It predicts that the tech giant may finish the prototyping stage by the end of the year before moving into EVT (Engineering Verification Test). Based on this timeline, we could see a launch in the second half of 2026.

The report goes on to say that a foldable iPhone has become a priority over a similar design for the iPad, which has been “temporarily put on hold,” presumably due to difficulty producing large panels and a higher price point resulting in low market acceptance. Industry insiders claim that the foldable iPhone has been under development for over five years, “with more than a dozen revisions”. It is only now, however, that production is finally going ahead.

Remember, it’s still in a prototype state, and Apple may not hesitate to cancel plans, so supply chain vendors remain cautious for the time being. The P1 stage still needs to be followed by P2 and P3 before entering the EVT process, which is when vendors can be more certain of the new iPhone’s production.

Many of Apple’s key rivals have been producing foldable tech for years, notably Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold smartphones, which are soon reaching their 7th generation. Google has also introduced a couple of foldable phones to its Pixel range. The same goes for the competitive Chinese market from brands such as Xiaomi, to which Apple is losing ground.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.