Latest news with #iPhoneFold
Phone Arena
a day ago
- Phone Arena
Apple's foldable iPhone moves closer to a 2026 launch with a production goal that might surprise you
Unless you've been living under a rock for the last year or so, or you only follow the news on our little website here when the latest iPhone generation and iOS version are expected to drop, odds are that you already know a thing or two about Apple's ambitious foldable market-joining intentions. But unless you're more knowledgeable about what goes on behind Cupertino's closed doors a year ahead of a new product launch than the likes of Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo, you probably still have more questions than answers on the first-ever iPhone Fold (which may or may not be called that). That's because Kuo himself remains unable to make many firm predictions on things like specs, features, and prices in a new social media "update" rounding up some fresh information from the inside. That's probably the juiciest detail revealed by the almost always reliable rumormonger and tech industry analyst on his official X account this week, but the number isn't as impressive as some of you might think... or as low as others are likely to consider. That's because Apple doesn't reportedly expect to sell between 15 and 20 million units of its mysterious Galaxy Z Fold 7 alternative in a matter of weeks or months, instead setting this production target to cover an entire "2-3 year lifecycle." That would result in a very humble annual sales total compared to a conventional new iPhone while still looking likely to eclipse the combined figures of something like the Z Fold 7 , Z Fold 8, and Z Fold 9. It's too soon to know for sure, but the iPhone Fold is very likely to resemble the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The latter is arguably a more fair comparison than an analysis against the non- foldable iPhone 17 or iPhone 18, and in case you're wondering, last year's Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is estimated to have sold in under 2.5 million copies during its first six months of availability. That makes a 15 to 20 million unit iPhone Fold goal pretty realistic for Apple, and not at all shameful or modest, especially considering its extravagant rumored price point. It remains to be seen, however, if Samsung will be able to actually manufacture the 15 to 20 million foldable screens required by Apple and in line with Apple's quality standards. That's right, the two arch-rivals are widely believed to be collaborating on this project, which shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone the least bit familiar with the inner workings of today's mobile industry. If someone can pull off the "nearly invisible" crease Apple is insisting on for its rookie foldable effort, that's definitely Samsung. But even the makers of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 are only expected to manufacture around 7 or 8 million ultra-high-quality panels a year for the first-gen " iPhone Fold " starting in 2026, which means early supply might not be enough to handle your demand. That's probably the most disappointing thing Kuo could have said in closing of his latest forecast, and unfortunately, that means we can't be sure of, well, anything about Apple's first foldable iPhone just yet. Yes, a 2026 release in at least a few million units seems more and more likely by the day, but it's still not guaranteed. A price point of over $1,800 or even $2,000, meanwhile, is just about etched in stone, but not completely. The key specifications are even harder to pinpoint, although a number of credible (and semi-credible) rumors have hinted at a primary display size of close to 8 inches and a secondary screen of around 5.5 inches. One of Apple's main goals is apparently to eliminate the Galaxy Z Fold 6's crease entirely. | Image Credit -- PhoneArena The hinge (and the build quality in general) remains the department where Apple believes it can gain the biggest advantage over the competition, which explains why the company apparently expects to keep its first-gen Galaxy Z Fold rival around for two or three years. Of course, some recent gossip called for a "normal" yearly upgrade schedule, highlighting Kuo's main point today that Cupertino's plans have "yet to be finalized", remaining "subject to change prior to the official project kickoff." The kickoff time, by the way, could be "late" Q3 2025 or "early" Q4 2025 as far as product assembly is concerned, so you should probably expect a flood of new rumors (many of which might contradict existing speculation) at any point between September and November of this year. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase This offer is not available in your area.
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
The iPhone Fold's crushingly slow development may have just hit another roadblock — but it's not all bad news
Just when you thought Apple might be making some headway with its foldable iPhone development, a new report comes out to make us doubt everything. Analyst Ming Chi Kuo claims that while iPhone manufacturers Foxconn are going to "kick off the project" later this year, the specs are still not fully confirmed. The good news is Kuo claims the foldable screen is "one of the few components with finalized specifications." Considering the display has reportedly been a key factor in the iPhone Fold's slow development, that point is a little bit more comforting. According to Kuo, Samsung Display will be building somewhere between 7 and 8 million foldable panels for iPhone Fold. Though Kuo points out that since 2026 production is only going to be a few months, actual panel shipments may not be at full capacity. Apple itself is said to have ordered 15-20 million foldable iPhones, which the analyst expects will cover the duration of the phone's 2-3 year lifecycle. While the number sounds big, it isn't a whole lot when compared to the likes of the iPhone 16 — which had an estimated 84 million units produced in the second half to 2024. Why so low? Kuo speculates that it could be the phone's premium pricing affecting demand, which may be why Apple would keep it around for a little longer than your standard iPhone models. One thing Kuo notes is that all plans are still subject to change, and will stay that way until the iPhone Fold project officially kicks off. Which means it could end up being delayed again, especially if Apple takes issue with some of the other components available. Another delay isn't outside the realms of possibility but considering how much time Apple is taking — possibly down to its own perfectionism — I think it's about time the company just got it over and done with. There's only so many times you can delay a project before it risks turning into another Apple Car. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Right now the iPhone Fold is reportedly due to arrive in late 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Hopefully Apple can stick to that, because pushing it back any further would risk stealing the iPhone 20's thunder in late 2027. In the meantime be sure to check out our iPhone Fold hub for all the latest news and rumors about the upcoming foldable.
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
iPhone Fold: Everything we know about Apple's Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 rival so far
A latest development has surfaced about the rumoured iPhone Fold. While Apple hasn't officially confirmed anything, multiple leaks and analyst reports suggest that a foldable iPhone is very much in the works. What's known until now is that the iPhone Fold will be Apple's first foldable, expected to launch sometime in 2026, probably alongside the iPhone 18 series. This would be Apple's first entirely new iPhone form factor since the original iPhone X, and expectations are naturally sky-high. After all, Apple has had plenty of time to study the market, especially Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series, which has evolved rapidly over the last few years. advertisementAccording to trusted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is targeting the second half of 2026 to begin mass production of the iPhone Fold. Assembly partner Foxconn is said to kick off the project in late Q3 or early Q4 of 2025. However, as of now, many component specifications — including the hinge design — are still being finalised. Source: Ming-Chi Kuo/ X (formerly Twitter) Interestingly, the display is one of the few components that's reportedly locked in. Samsung Display is expected to produce around 7–8 million foldable panels per year for Apple. That doesn't mean Apple will ship that many units right away, though. Analysts believe the company is planning for a 2–3 year product lifecycle, with total shipments of 15–20 million units spread across that period. Other than this, several leaks have suggested that the iPhone Fold will have a book-style fold, much like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series, and will likely include a 7.8-inch internal display paired with a 5.5-inch outer screen. One of the key highlights could be its slim profile — reportedly measuring just 4.5mm when unfolded and around 9mm when folded. advertisementTo achieve this slimness, Apple may drop Face ID and bring back a physical side-mounted Touch ID sensor. The company could also use a titanium frame, similar to the iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro models, to keep the device both strong and lightweight. However, will they, considering the company is expected to revert to aluminium in the iPhone 17 series, including the Pro models?Moving on, the front-facing camera on the iPhone Fold is rumoured to use a hole-punch design instead of Apple's usual Dynamic Island. This change could also appear on the iPhone 18 Pro models, thanks to Face ID components reportedly being moved under the display. If this happens, the iPhone Fold may match the top-left cutout placement seen on the rest of Apple's 2026 lineup, leaving only the iPhone 18 Air to retain the Dynamic expected features include dual rear cameras, cameras on both the inner and outer screens, and possibly a hinge made from liquid metal — a material known for its durability and previously used in Apple's SIM ejector tools. If true, this could help reduce the crease along the folding area, one of the most common pain points in current said, until Apple makes anything official, it's best to treat all of this as speculation. But if the leaks so far are even halfway accurate, the iPhone Fold could be one of the most exciting products Apple has launched in tuned to India Today Tech for all the latest on the iPhone Fold.
Digital Trends
6 days ago
- Digital Trends
This one iPadOS 26 feature has me excited for the iPhone Fold
Samsung is set to launch the seventh generation of its Galaxy Z Fold book-style folding phone this Summer, but its biggest rival is yet to show its folding phone hand. Apple has long been expected to unveil an iPhone Fold, and the latest rumors suggest that it will launch next year. I've used almost every folding phone released globally, with some exceptions for extremely obscure ones. While I've always been curious what an iPhone Fold would look like, I was fairly certain that Apple shouldn't build it, as I wasn't sure they could deliver on one necessary feature. Recommended Videos This past week, Apple unveiled the next update to its platforms during its WWDC 2025 keynote. Alongside a new naming convention that unites all platform names, including iOS 26, watchOS26, and macOS 26 Tahoe, there's a new iPadOS 26 that transforms the iPad. It's the biggest update to the iPad in years, and it brings a long-awaited feature that not only transforms the iPad but has me excited for Apple's rumored iPhone Fold. What makes a good folding phone? I've used the majority of the best folding phones released worldwide, including many that were only available in China. The best book-style folding phones — i.e., the ones that aim to compete with the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7 — all provide one necessary feature in some form: multitasking. Samsung has been perfecting multitasking on its phones for over a decade, and Android has natively supported multiwindow since Android 7 in 2016. Multitasking is key to the folding phone experience as it ensures you can take full advantage of the additional screen real estate offered by the larger internal display. Unlike the best flip phones, which make a regular-sized smartphone smaller, these folding phones allow you to go from a regular smartphone to a tablet-sized display, so you need to be able to run multiple apps at once. Google added optimizations and support to take advantage of the big displays on folding phones in Android 12L two years ago. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 can run three apps side by side and launch more in pop-up chat windows. The Oppo Find N5 and OnePlus Open feature the innovative Open Canvas multitasking system that visualizes your apps in windows larger than the physical screen. Each of these phones has a way to ensure that the big display is something you can truly take advantage of, and until iPadOS 26, it was a feature that Apple was sorely lacking. How iPadOS 26 solves the multitasking problem No, iOS 26 does not add multitasking, but iPadOS 26 finally showcases a clear vision for big screens, and in doing so, Apple has also shown it's ready to build a folding phone that can compete with the best. For many years, the iPad has offered basic split-screen multitasking features, but iPadOS 26 adds a new windowing engine designed to replicate a desktop computer experience. Instead of simple features, we have resizable windows that can be set to different presets or resized freely using the handles in the bottom corner. The experience will be instantly familiar to anyone who's used a desktop computer, and it's far more intuitive than any other tablet, aside from the best Windows tablets. Of course, the iPhone Fold is not an iPad, but this has already transformed how productive I am on the iPad Pro 11. It has the potential to do the same for the iPhone Fold and how useful — and therefore, how desirable and profitable — it is to end customers. What could this mean for an iPhone Fold? There's a fairly obvious solution for the eventual iPhone Fold: Apple brings the same feature from iPadOS to iOS 27 next year, just in time for the iPhone Fold. However, I think there's a way for Apple to transform the folding phone experience at the same time. One of the biggest challenges with most folding phones is that, while they offer excellent multitasking features, many Android apps are not optimized, and it's still like using a large phone, versus a small tablet. Apple could solve this by running iOS on the front screen and a modified version of iPadOS on the internal screen. Not only would it be unique in the world of folding phones, it would solve the biggest issues and instantly make the iPhone Fold a new benchmark for others to match. Whether the company does this or not, the multitasking features in iPadOS 26 have me excited to see what Apple can do on the iPhone Fold. The company's first entrant into folding phones will almost certainly change the market, and its approach to iPadOS 26 has me convinced that it can build an experience that's second to none.
Geeky Gadgets
10-06-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
iPhone Fold: The Top 3 Leaks You WON'T Believe!
The concept of an iPhone Fold has sparked significant interest, with leaks and rumors suggesting that Apple is preparing to unveil a device that could redefine the foldable smartphone market. As foldable technology continues to evolve, Apple's potential entry into this space is poised to make a substantial impact. In the video below, Matt Talks Tech, delve into the top three leaks that shed light on the anticipated foldable iPhone, focusing on its design, durability, and strategic positioning. Watch this video on YouTube. 1. Advanced Display Technology and Hinge Engineering The foldable iPhone is rumored to feature innovative display technology, with Apple reportedly working on a flexible OLED or micro-LED screen. This display is expected to fold seamlessly, maintaining exceptional visual quality without visible creases. The ability to transition between a compact smartphone size and a larger, tablet-like screen could offer users unparalleled versatility. True to Apple's reputation, the display is anticipated to deliver sharp resolution, vivid colors, and high brightness levels, making sure a premium viewing experience. Equally important is the hinge mechanism, a critical component of any foldable device. Leaks suggest Apple is developing a robust hinge system designed to minimize wear and tear while maintaining long-term durability. By using advanced materials and precision engineering, Apple aims to address common issues seen in competing devices, such as hinge degradation and mechanical failure. This focus on durability reflects Apple's commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable products. 2. Durability and Battery Innovations Durability is a key concern for foldable smartphones, and Apple appears to be prioritizing this aspect in its design. Reports indicate that the foldable iPhone may incorporate reinforced glass or a proprietary coating to protect the display from scratches and impacts. Additionally, the device is rumored to feature water and dust resistance, a challenging feat for foldable designs but essential for everyday usability. These enhancements could set the foldable iPhone apart from its competitors by offering a more resilient and user-friendly device. Battery performance is another area where Apple is expected to innovate. Foldable devices typically require more power due to their larger screens and multitasking capabilities. To address this, Apple might introduce a dual-battery system or implement advanced energy management technologies. These improvements could ensure that the foldable iPhone delivers battery life comparable to, or even better than, traditional smartphones, making it a practical choice for users who rely on their devices throughout the day. 3. Software Adaptations and Strategic Market Positioning The foldable iPhone is likely to feature significant software enhancements tailored to its unique design. Apple is expected to redesign iOS to enable seamless transitions between folded and unfolded modes. Key features could include split-screen multitasking, dynamic app resizing, and enhanced gesture controls, making sure the device fully uses its foldable form factor. These software adaptations would not only enhance functionality but also provide a user experience that surpasses traditional smartphones. Apple's strategic approach to entering the foldable market is another critical factor. The company is known for waiting until technologies have matured before introducing its own refined versions. The foldable iPhone is expected to target the premium segment, competing directly with established devices like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series. By emphasizing quality, innovation, and seamless integration with its ecosystem, Apple could attract both loyal customers and new adopters, solidifying its position as a leader in the foldable smartphone market. What's Next: Release Timeline and Industry Competition While Apple has not officially confirmed any details, industry insiders speculate that the foldable iPhone could debut as early as 2025. This timeline would allow Apple to refine its design and address challenges faced by earlier foldable devices. Meanwhile, competitors such as Samsung, Huawei, and Google continue to enhance their offerings, intensifying competition in the foldable smartphone market. If these leaks prove accurate, the foldable iPhone could represent a significant advancement in mobile technology. By combining innovative hardware, optimized software, and a strategic market approach, Apple has the potential to set new benchmarks in the foldable category. As anticipation grows, the tech world eagerly awaits Apple's next move in shaping the future of foldable devices. Display: Flexible OLED or micro-LED with seamless folding and premium visual quality. Flexible OLED or micro-LED with seamless folding and premium visual quality. Hinge: Advanced engineering to minimize creases and enhance durability. Advanced engineering to minimize creases and enhance durability. Durability: Reinforced glass, proprietary coatings, and water/dust resistance. Reinforced glass, proprietary coatings, and water/dust resistance. Battery: Dual-battery system or advanced energy management for extended life. Dual-battery system or advanced energy management for extended life. Software: Redesigned iOS with multitasking, dynamic resizing, and gesture controls. Redesigned iOS with multitasking, dynamic resizing, and gesture controls. Market Position: Premium segment targeting with a focus on quality and ecosystem integration. Here are more detailed guides and articles that you may find helpful on Foldable iPhone. Source & Image Credit: Matt Talks Tech Filed Under: Gadgets News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. 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