Apple’s long-awaited foldable smartphone moves closer to reality
Apple has reportedly finalized the design of its foldable iPhone and put it in trial production; suggesting the device's mystery could wrap up after years of rumors.
Apple’s first foldable smartphone has got to be one of the longest-rumored devices since the original foldables in the 2010s; however, the mystery may finally be coming to an end. Reports indicate that the foldable iPhone has now entered a trial production period following the finalization of its main specifications, hardware, and design.
The reports, coming from a Chinese source, suggest that manufacturer Foxconn is leading the trial production of the foldable iPhone, with mass production of the handset expected to begin in July, barring any hiccups. According to PhoneArena, it is common for live leaks of the production models to surface during this period. Apple employees also typically get models to test as well. If the testing phase goes smoothly for the long-awaited product, it could launch in the fall alongside the iPhone 18 Pro.
Sources have also confirmed to Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman that the foldable iPhone is slated for a September launch alongside Apple’s flagship smartphones. Gurman noted that the launch of the foldable iPhone, the official name of which remains unknown, is part of Apple’s efforts to make its brand stand out in an ever-competitive market of high-spec phones, slender phones, budget devices, and foldables.
Over three years, Apple has plans to revamp old flagship products and roll out new ones. Last year saw updates to the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, and the introduction of the iPhone Air. This year will see the introduction of the iPhone foldable. In 2027, the brand is likely to follow up with a new iPhone Air model and a new iPhone 18e to round out its low-budget option. There are also potential plans to overhaul the highest-tier iPhones as the brand recognizes the product’s 20th anniversary, Gurman noted. The company is also currently commemorating its 50th anniversary in 2026.