February 2, 2026, 2:32 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Industry insiders agree that Apple will finally launch its first foldable smartphone this year. The iPhone Fold is expected to debut in the fall alongside the iPhone 18 and 18 Pro. However, even though the first device isn’t official yet, the company is already planning a successor.
Entry into the Foldable Market
Foldable smartphones have long entered the mainstream. Leading the way, Samsung has paved the path with its Fold and Flip devices. Now, latecomer Apple is venturing into the rapidly growing foldable market. The company is mimicking Samsung’s strategy. The first device—the iPhone Fold—is set to follow in the footsteps of the Samsung Galaxy Fold. It is a so-called book-style foldable, appearing as a regular smartphone from the outside but offering access to a larger internal screen when unfolded.
The product is intended to serve as a new flagship for Apple, featuring, among other things, its crease-free folding display and a massive battery. However, a correspondingly high price beyond 2,000 euros is likely to make the device affordable only for a small user base. Therefore, the company is already planning additional foldable iPhones, as reported by “Bloomberg.”
Apple Considers Compact Flip iPhone as an Alternative
Internally, Apple is currently examining a compact, square-format device that folds horizontally. This form factor is primarily known from Samsung’s Galaxy Flip series. However, the development is still in its early stages. According to the report, Apple is testing whether this format can be sensibly integrated into its product lineup.
In contrast to the book-like fold format, flip foldables are only full-fledged smartphones when unfolded. They typically have only a small external display suitable for checking messages and widgets—but not for full-format apps.
If you want to see what an iPhone in flip format might look like, you don’t have to search long. As early as 2022, YouTubers assembled the first foldable iPhone entirely on their own, as TECHBOOK reported.
Samsung’s Galaxy Flip devices are the best-selling foldables to date. The lower price of under 1,000 euros is likely a significant factor. To position its first foldable smartphone as a premium product, Apple must therefore compete with the higher-priced Galaxy Fold devices. If the iPhone Fold gains enough acceptance, the company could expand its product range with various formats and sizes.