Apple’s Foldable iPhone Enters Prototype Phase, Targeting 2026 Launch

Apple’s Foldable iPhone Enters Prototype Phase, Targeting 2026 Launch

After years of speculation, Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone has reportedly entered its initial prototype phase (P1), marking a major milestone in one of the company’s most ambitious hardware projects to date. According to a new DigiTimes report citing supply chain sources, the project began in June 2024, with final testing expected by the end of 2025 and a possible launch in the second half of 2026.

From Concept to Prototype: Apple’s Cautious Approach

Unlike its Android rivals, Apple has been extremely deliberate in developing its foldable device:

  • The project has been in active development for over five years

  • Apple has reportedly gone through 10+ redesigns

  • The foldable iPhone is now in the P1 phase, the earliest stage of prototyping, to be followed by:

    • P2 and P3 design phases

    • Engineering Verification Test (EVT)

    • Design Verification Test (DVT) and Production Validation Test (PVT) before mass production

Each phase requires supplier involvement and approval, but nothing is final yet—especially key components like the hinge, which analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says is still being finalized.

iPhone Fold Takes Priority Over Foldable iPad

Apple had also been developing a larger foldable iPad, even testing an 18.8-inch prototype. However, that project is now on pause, with Apple reportedly shifting full focus to the foldable iPhone due to:

  • High production costs of large flexible displays

  • Uncertain consumer demand for tablet-size foldables

  • Manufacturing complexity around hinge durability and display crease reduction

The foldable iPhone is now the singular priority in Apple’s foldable strategy.

Launch Timeline & Market Expectations

If development stays on track:

  • Testing wraps up in late 2025

  • Production begins mid-2026

  • Launch in fall 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 series or a standalone debut

Initial shipment estimates are around 7 million units, which is modest for Apple but reflective of:

  • The premium pricing expected

  • Slowing global demand for foldables

  • A still-nascent market segment with unclear mainstream appeal

Ultra-Thin iPhone vs Foldable

Apple is also expected to launch a new ultra-thin iPhone “Air” this year as part of the iPhone 17 lineup, possibly as a transitional design before the foldable arrives. However, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, a similar ultra-thin phone, has seen lukewarm sales—raising questions about consumer appetite for form factor-driven upgrades.

Will Apple’s Foldable Be Different?

Apple’s late entry could work in its favor:

  • Time to refine hinge durability and reduce display creasing

  • Tighter integration of Apple Intelligence features in a multitasking environment

  • A potentially unique approach to form factor and use case, possibly folding horizontally (like a flip) or vertically (like a book)

Apple is known for waiting until a product category matures technically and consumer-wise—then entering with a polished, deeply integrated experience.

Final Take

The foldable iPhone is no longer just a rumor—it’s officially in development, and Apple is treating it as a high-stakes, perfection-first project. With a targeted 2026 launch and early prototypes in hand, the next two years will be pivotal in determining whether Apple can redefine what a foldable phone should be—and whether consumers are still willing to fold for it.

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