Price, Features & Release Date

Image: Ming-Chi Kuo

Apple is reportedly working on a foldable smartphone, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who shared details on March 5. Kuo works for TF International Securities and gathers information from Appleā€™s suppliers in Asia. He claimed the device will feature a 7.8-inch inner display that folds vertically, without a visible crease, along with a 5.5-inch outer display. The phone is expected to retail between $2,000 and $2,500.

Despite the premium price tag, Kuo said Appleā€™s fanbase is unlikely to be deterred, and the company predicts the foldable phone will ā€œgenerate strong replacement demandā€ as long as the quality lives up to expectations.

For comparison, the larger variant of the iPhone 16 Pro Max costs $1,199.

Must-read Apple coverage

Foldable iPhone rumored to come out in 2026

Foldable phones are eye-catching, but the hinge can break under strain, making them more likely to need repair than a flat model. Appleā€™s hinge will be made of stainless steel and titanium alloy, Kuo said.

Mass production is reportedly scheduled for 2026, with a second-generation model potentially launching the following year.

Apple continues to expand its generative AI features, and the foldable phone is expected to be a key part of this strategy. Its larger, split-screen design could enable new AI-driven experiences, such as having an AI chatbot on one screen and a map open on the other, Kuo said.

SEE: The new MacBook Air has a price tag $100 less than its predecessor.

Face ID unlikely due to design constraints

On the other hand, Kuo also suggested that Face ID probably wonā€™t work on the foldable phone because of mechanical constraints related to the phoneā€™s thickness (4.5ā€“4.8mm when unfolded). Instead, Apple is expected to integrate Touch ID into the side button.

The device will reportedly feature a single front-facing camera that works whether the phone is open or closed, while a rear-facing camera remains enclosed within the folded panels.

Apple faces tough competition in the foldable market

Apple is entering a foldable phone market already dominated by Google and Samsung. The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, with its horizontal or book-like shape, sold for $1,799. Samsung makes a foldable phone (the Galaxy Z Fold 6) and a flip phone (the Galaxy Z Flip 6). Meanwhile, Motorola is also hanging on to its retro cred with the 2024 Razr line.

Source link

The post Price, Features & Release Date appeared first on World Online.

Scroll to Top