Apple to Release Foldable iPhone in September, Competing with Samsung and Huawei

Apple's rumored foldable iPhone is expected to be released in September, featuring a book-style form factor and a wide aspect ratio design. The device is believed to be a response to similar foldable releases from competitors Samsung and Huawei, which have also adopted a wide aspect ratio design. This development highlights the increasing competition in the foldable smartphone market.

Apple is set to enter the foldable smartphone market with its first-ever foldable iPhone, expected to launch in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The device — tentatively branded "iPhone Ultra" or "iPhone Fold" — features a book-style form factor with a 7.7-inch inner display and a 5.3-inch outer display, two rear cameras, and a Touch ID power button in lieu of Face ID. Trial production began in early April 2026, confirming the September timeline remains on track per Bloomberg reporting.

Pricing is expected to significantly exceed existing foldables, with the base 256GB configuration starting around $2,320 and the 1TB top tier approaching $2,900. AAPL's key differentiator is a proprietary liquid metal hinge technology with a special display treatment that renders the fold crease virtually undetectable — directly addressing the single most-criticized flaw of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series . Huawei's Pura X Max adopted a similar wide-aspect-ratio design and is set to ship in China weeks before Apple's launch, though US export restrictions limit its global reach.

The foldable smartphone market remains a premium niche, with Samsung capturing the vast majority of global sales at under 20 million units annually. Apple's entry has historically legitimized nascent form factors: analysts note that AAPL's participation in tablets and smartwatches accelerated total category growth by 3-5x within two years of entry. With over 1.4 billion active iPhone users in its installed base, even a modest 2-3% attach rate in the $2,000+ segment would represent a meaningful new revenue stream for Apple's hardware division and ASP expansion.