There's a good chance we're going to see the first foldable iPhone in under a year. Rumors about the innovative phone hint at Apple design magic in the details, but that fancy folding will likely cost you dearly.
According to a report by Chinese publication UDN, engineers have made "breakthroughs" in creating a "crease-free design" for the iPhone Fold, and the product cycle has now moved past the experimental stage to pre-mass production mode. The Fold reportedly could be launched in September 2026.
But you will probably pay dearly for the creaseless iPhone screen. Another report by Fubon Research says the iPhone Fold could cost as much as $2,399, which would make it the most expensive foldable smartphone on the market, higher than the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Samsung Galaxy Flip 7, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Motorola Razr Ultra and Motorola Razr, all of which range between $700 and $2,000.
Financial services firm UBS has a more modest estimate for the iPhone Fold. Analysts at the bank predict the cost will be between $1,800 and $2,000. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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That early reported $2,400 price tag might pack a wallop, but so could the Fold's potential game-changing design quality. The market has steadily grown since the first foldable phone was launched in 2018, and no one has yet been able to make one that doesn't show a crease after several folds. The OnePlus Open has the least visible crease of all the foldables, and there's even a subreddit extolling the virtues of its near-creaseless-ness. But a crease is still a crease.
'No crease is a hard feat!'
"2026 is the year of foldables" said Jessica Naziri, a content creator focused on tech made for women at TechSesh.co. "We've been begging our phones to behave like laptops, and this gets us a lot closer to that reality," Naziri told CNET.
"If Apple is doing it, you know it will be good. Between the iPhone Air and the upcoming foldable, it's nice to finally see Apple trying new form factors," Naziri added. Despite the high price, she thinks consumers will still pony up. "Obviously, the engineering feat is expected to come with a premium price tag, and people will find a way to save up and pay up," she said.
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Creaseless comes at a cost
The UDN report said teams from Apple, NewRixing and Amphenol have been collaborating on key component bearings to avoid the iPhone Fold showing creases. Those teams have used high-strength hinge component technology made of liquid metal to improve folding durability, according to the report.
The inner screen is developed by Samsung Display, and the panel structure, material handling and lamination are designed by Apple, the report said. Taiwan-based Hon Hai Technology Group has created a production line where several dozen iPhone Fold devices will be initially manufactured for testing before mass production begins, the report noted.
The advanced components and design work led to the hefty consumer cost, however. Fubon Research analyst Arthur Liao said the OLED panel, hinge and lightweight internals will help drive up the price of the iPhone Fold. He also said RAM prices have risen 75% in the past year, and total material cost could increase 5% to 7% in 2026 due to increased demand for chips, memory and storage.
