Apple is gearing up to reveal its first foldable iPhone, likely at the September event alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, but don’t expect it to hit stores until December 2026. Barclays analyst Tim Long suggests Apple will announce the device in its usual fall window but delay availability by a few months, following a staggered launch approach it has used before.
This kind of split rollout is not new for Apple. The iPhone X and iPhone XR were both introduced at events but appeared in stores several weeks later. Such a strategy makes sense for a device as complex as a foldable iPhone, given the increased production challenges and supply chain hurdles. Reports indicate the phone’s design is nearly finalized, supporting an end-of-year launch despite the announcement coming earlier.
iPhone Fold features and multitasking capabilities
The foldable iPhone is expected to highlight multitasking benefits, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously on its larger unfolded screen, tapping into productivity trends seen in the foldable smartphone market. Long also notes Apple may shift to a more segmented release schedule, with the standard iPhone 18 models, and possibly an Air or Plus variant, arriving in March 2027 instead of the usual September.
Apple’s staggered release strategy for new device categories
This staggered release could mark a subtle change in Apple’s annual cadence, potentially designed to ease logistics around introducing a new device category like foldables while maintaining regular updates for its core lineup. It also signals Apple’s cautious entry into foldable tech, ensuring quality and supply don’t compromise the user experience.