Apple may delay the launch of the iPhone Fold until December 2026
This was reported by Barclays analyst Tim Long.
Apple’s first iPhone with a foldable display may not be released at the same time as the main flagship range, but with a delay of several months. According to Barclays analyst Tim Long, the launch of the iPhone Fold is expected in December 2026.
Traditionally, Apple announces and releases new iPhones in September. The report notes that the company has been doing this since 2012, starting with the iPhone 5, with the sole exception being 2020.
At the same time, the release of the most expensive model later than the standard flagship models does not seem unusual for Apple. The article points out that the company has previously released radically new models one to two months after unveiling the entire range. Specifically, the iPhone X was released in November 2017, the iPhone XR in October 2018, and the iPhone 14 Plus in October 2022.
If this forecast proves accurate, Apple may announce the iPhone Fold alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September, whilst postponing the actual launch to a later date.
The article also notes that last week, reports emerged that the iPhone Fold’s design had reached a significant production milestone. This is believed to indicate the company’s plans to release the device as early as this year, even if it arrives later than the standard flagship models.
It is also reported that the device’s design has likely already been finalised. According to the article, this is indicated by CAD files that emerged this month and correspond to previous leaks.
Furthermore, Tim Long expects Apple to unveil the iPhone 18 Plus or iPhone Air 2 alongside the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in March 2027. The article notes that the iPhone Air replaced the iPhone 16 Plus last autumn, and its successor, according to this forecast, will not appear until next spring at the earliest.
Another detail mentioned in the text concerns the capabilities of the new device. According to available information, Apple plans to support the simultaneous running of two apps in split-screen mode on the iPhone Fold.
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