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Apple is set to enter the foldable phone market by 2026, planning to release an iPhone that unfolds into an iPad Mini-like device, marking a new era in smartphone technology.
Apple's Foldable iPhone Plans Hint at iPad Mini-like Design for 2026 Release
Unlike competitors such as Samsung and Google, Apple has yet to enter the foldable phone market, but this will undoubtedly change sooner or later. According to previous reports, the first foldable device to emerge from Apple Park will be similar to a 20-inch laptop, but a new report suggests something more iPad-like is in the works.
That is according to The Elec, citing Omdia Kang Min-soo. They were speaking at the 2024 Korea Display Conference, and when the conversation turned to Apple's foldable plans, they made it clear that we may not have to wait too long for Apple to join the foldable fray.
According to the report, Apple is expected to release a foldable iPhone in 2026 with a display size of seven or eight inches. Such a size would make the unfolded iPhone look more like an iPad mini with an 8.3-inch display.
Apple could use the iPhone's ability to transform into an iPad mini-like device as a key differentiator, particularly when compared to competing foldable devices from the companies mentioned previously. It remains to be seen whether iPad-like features, such as Stage Manager, will make the transition to iOS as part of that process.
Apple's Strategic Entry into Foldable iPhone Market Targets Perfection by 2026
Apple is rarely the first to enter a market, so it is unsurprising that it is launching its first foldable iPhone so late. However, it will undoubtedly happen at some point, albeit only after Apple is confident that it has addressed any display flaws, including the dreaded crease.
The creases that run down the center of foldable phones have improved significantly in recent years, and while they are still visible, they are no longer as prominent as they once were.
If Apple does launch the foldable iPhone in 2026, it could be released alongside the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models. It is unclear how Apple will market a foldable iPhone, though the iPhone Ultra name remains free.
Apple may position the foldable iPhone above the already-expensive iPhone Pro Max models, and the iPhone Ultra name could certainly help in this regard. Fans can expect the foldable iPhone to be expensive, but the exact cost is unknown.
