Apple is expected to delay the shipment of its first foldable iPhone, even though it may still be announced alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Apple’s foldable model (rumoured to be called iPhone Fold) will not reach customers in the usual September launch window. Instead, it is likely to arrive later in the year, possibly a few months after the Pro models go on sale. This means buyers may have to wait longer to get their hands on Apple’s much-anticipated foldable device, which has been in development for years and is expected to be in limited supply at launch.
Reports suggest Apple could launch the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September as usual. The foldable iPhone may ship later, possibly around December.
Analysts believe supply issues and manufacturing challenges could be behind the delay.
Apple foldable iPhone: Expected design and features
According to the report, the foldable iPhone will include an external screen about the size of a small iPhone display. The internal foldable screen will open to a larger display.
Apple has reportedly worked on reducing the crease that appears when the screen is folded. The company has used a different display technology that may reduce the crease, though it may still be visible.
The device is also designed to improve durability by increasing the number of times the screen can be folded and unfolded before wearing out.
The external display will include a hole-punch cutout for the front camera. This will replace the pill-shaped notch used on current iPhones.
Apple is expected to remove the Face ID system on this device and instead include Touch ID in the side button. This would mark the first iPhone with a fingerprint sensor since the third-generation iPhone SE released in 2022.
The foldable iPhone is expected to include two rear cameras. Reports suggest the device may be priced at around $2,000 and positioned at the top of Apple’s iPhone lineup. Apple has not commented on the report.
