Apple to launch its first foldable iPhone next year with Samsung Galaxy Fold 7-like design and Rs 1.75 lakh price

India Today

4 days ago

Apple may finally be ready to launch its first foldable iPhone next year, after years of rumours and internal testing. While the company hasn't officially confirmed anything yet, multiple reports suggest that development is now in full swing, and a 2026 release is looking increasingly likely. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is targeting the second half of the year, and the device could arrive alongside the iPhone 18 lineup. It will be Apple's first major iPhone redesign since the iPhone X, and by the looks of it, the foldable iPhone will follow a book-style design, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7. That means we can expect a large inner display that opens like a tablet, along with a smaller cover screen for regular use. The expected price? Well, around $2,000, which is roughly Rs 1.72 lakh in India.advertisementOne reason for the delay is Apple's approach to new categories. The company has rarely been the first to venture into a new product category. Instead, the company often waits for the technology to mature and then tries to improve on it. With foldables, Samsung and other Android brands have already built the foundation, working through multiple generations of hardware and software. Reports suggest Apple sees this as an advantage, giving it the chance to avoid common pain points like screen creases and hinge durability. One of the key goals, apparently, is to reduce the visible crease when the display is unfolded. To achieve that, Apple is said to be experimenting with an advanced hinge mechanism and thinner materials.As far as the specs go, the foldable iPhone is tipped to feature a 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch cover screen. It is rumoured to measure just 4.5mm when open, and around 9mm when folded, which would make it one of the slimmest foldable phones on the market. There's also talk of Apple using a new dual-camera lens system at the rear, and possibly a Meta Lens front camera. It could also be one of the first iPhones in a long time to ditch FaceID in favour of a side-mounted TouchID sensor, possibly to save space and make up for the slim aesthetic.
The software side of things is also expected to see changes. Reportedly, iOS 27 is being built with the foldable form-factor in mind, meaning the user experience could be different from regular bar-style iPhones. Features that take advantage of the larger screen, multitasking, and possibly Apple Pencil support are all being considered.Apple is said to be targeting China as one of the key markets for the foldable, as demand for foldable phones continues to rise in the region. However, it's unclear whether the first-gen model will be widely available across global markets at launch.Once again, nothing is official for now, so we suggest taking this information with a heavy grain of salt. That said, if everything goes as planned, this will turn out to be one of the most exciting products Apple has launched in years. Stay tuned to India Today Tech for all the latest on the iPhone Fold.- Ends