Foxconn starts trial production of Apple's foldable iPhone

Apple is one step closer to launching its first foldable iPhone, after Foxconn started testing production of the device, according to data from the industrial supply chain, cited by "ITHome". According to these sources, the company plans the first deliveries in the second half of 2026, with preparations going according to plan despite previous concerns about the complexity of production and the percentage of usable panels.

What we know about the design of the "iPhone Fold"

The expected foldable model, unofficially called "iPhone Fold", is emerging as a "book" format device: an internal flexible display with a diagonal of around 7.8 inches and an external screen with a size of approximately 5.5 inches. Thus, the concept strongly resembles Samsung's "Galaxy Z Fold" series, but with the characteristic Apple design and software optimizations.

According to information to suppliers, Apple has confirmed its intention to start deliveries by the end of 2026, and so far there has been no report of changes to this timeframe. This means that the company obviously assesses as manageable both the technical challenges and the issues related to the reliability of the folding screen and hinge.

Phased start: premiere together with iPhone 18 Pro, sales later

Most analysts expect Apple to unveil the "iPhone Fold" at its traditional autumn event in September, along with the "iPhone 18 Pro" and "iPhone 18 Pro Max". However, the actual sales of the foldable model may start a few months later – probably in December.

Barclays analyst Tim Long points out in a recent research note, cited by "MacRumors", that mass deliveries of the "iPhone Fold" are planned for December 2026, shortly after the Pro models become available. This is reminiscent of Apple's strategy from 2017, when the "iPhone X" was presented along with other models, but actually reached stores later. Mark Gurman of "Bloomberg" describes the foldable iPhone as "the most substantial overhaul in the history of the iPhone", which marks a fundamental transformation of the device's design.

Price and production plans: premium segment and limited quantities

The expectations are that "iPhone Fold" will take a position in the highest price segment. According to publications, the starting price for the base version with 256 GB of memory in the US will be around $1999. Renowned analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo earlier predicted a range of $2000 to $2500, which further suggests that Apple is targeting a niche of the most solvent consumers and enthusiasts.

On the hardware line, "Samsung Display" produces the foldable OLED panels for the model, with a planned capacity of around 7–8 million screens in 2026. It is reported that Apple has placed general orders for 15–20 million foldable iPhones, but Kuo specifies that this figure probably reflects an expected cumulative volume for two or three years, not just for the first year of sales. The first test production series were realized in Taiwan jointly with Foxconn, and the main stage of mass production is expected to be moved to factories in India.

Apple's official silence

Despite the multitude of signals from the supply chain and analyst reports, Apple has not officially confirmed the existence of the foldable iPhone, nor specific deadlines for its release. The company traditionally avoids commenting on unannounced products, and its strategy is to present new devices as already completed solutions, ready for the market.

Nevertheless, the scale of orders to suppliers, the test series that have started in Foxconn and the activity of partners such as "Samsung Display" suggest that the foldable iPhone is no longer just a rumor, but a project in an advanced phase. The question remains whether Apple will be able to offer not only hardware comparable to competitors, but also software and ecosystem experience that will justify the high price and turn the "iPhone Fold" into the next big step in the evolution of the smartphone.