Apple’s long-anticipated folding iPhone won’t arrive alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max this September. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a top Apple insider, production challenges with the seamless internal folding OLED display are behind the delay. As a result, the iPhone Fold is expected to launch months later, likely in December, about three months after the iPhone 18 Pro release.
Previously, rumors suggested the foldable model would debut simultaneously or shortly after the new Pro lineup. Barclays analysts now anticipate the December release, following a pattern seen with Apple’s past unconventional designs. For example, the iPhone X launched with the iPhone 8 in 2017 but only became available two months later due to OLED display and Face ID complications.
Manufacturing challenges causing delay in iPhone Fold production
Producing a foldable iPhone with a flawless, crease-free internal OLED screen remains a technical challenge Apple has not fully resolved. The complex process required for these flexible displays, combined with the precision needed for the folding mechanism, is delaying mass production. This makes the iPhone Fold significantly more complex to manufacture than typical iPhones or even the Pro models.
iPhone Fold pricing and design features
Rumors place the starting price of the iPhone Fold north of $2,000, potentially making it Apple’s most expensive iPhone ever. Gurman highlights a key selling point: a large, uninterrupted internal display designed to excel at video playback and gaming. This feature could offer fresh opportunities for developers and users, as apps may leverage the spacious foldable screen.
Apple will replace Face ID on this first foldable iPhone with Touch ID integrated into the power button. Gurman explains that the 3D face-scanning hardware is too bulky to fit into the folding chassis at this stage. He believes Apple will eventually bring Face ID to foldables, but that upgrade is expected a few years down the road.
Impact of the iPhone Fold on Apple’s lineup and finances
Gurman calls the iPhone Fold one of the most eagerly awaited Apple products in years. He predicts this foldable device will strengthen Apple’s brand appeal and financial results, complementing the anticipated success of the iPhone 18 Pro range.
Folding smartphones remain a niche but fast-growing segment globally, especially popular among Android makers like Samsung and its Galaxy Z Fold series. Apple’s entry is poised to shake up the segment, potentially setting new standards for build quality and user experience in foldable smartphones.
Apple’s AI plans showcased at WWDC 2026
Beyond hardware, Gurman revealed during a Q&A session that Apple’s focus at WWDC 2026, scheduled for the week of June 8, will be on a new chatbot integrated into iOS 27. Set to rival ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and other AI assistants, this bot marks Apple’s more aggressive push into consumer artificial intelligence services.
The iPhone Fold could redefine Apple’s smartphone design approach over the next few years, but its delay highlights the ongoing difficulty in perfecting folding technology at scale. Key questions remain about how Apple will eventually integrate Face ID and whether this first-generation foldable will achieve the price-performance balance needed to attract mainstream buyers.