According to analysis from JPMorgan, Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone in September 2026. This device will be part of the iPhone 18 series, priced at $1,999 (approximately HK$15,600). Featuring a book-style foldable design, it will come equipped with a 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch external display, with its main selling point being that the internal screen has almost no visible crease.
JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee mentioned in a report to clients that with the minor upgrades of the iPhone 17 series this fall, investors are increasingly focusing on new products coming in the fall of 2026. He pointed out that Apple’s first foldable iPhone could resemble the design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series, bringing a fresh transformation to the market.
The device known as the iPhone Fold is expected to feature crease-free internal display technology, which is regarded as a significant advance in the industry. Compared to Samsung’s book-style foldable devices, the iPhone Fold has a considerable edge when it comes to managing creases. Additionally, it will be equipped with a titanium body, durable Liquid Metal hinges, dual rear cameras, and will replace Face ID with Touch ID.
Chatterjee predicts that the price of this new device will be $1,999, which is lower than the previously expected range of $2,100 to $2,300. He believes that the launch of this product will create a revenue opportunity of approximately $65 billion and, in the medium term, will drive profit growth for high single digits. It is anticipated that shipment volumes will start around Less than ten million units. beginning in FY 2027, climbing to about 40 million units during FY 2029.
Currently, the sales of foldable smartphones are projected to reach around 19 million units in 2025, with Apple’s entry expected to have a significant impact on the market. JPMorgan forecasts that sales of the foldable iPhone will grow to the low tens of millions in the fiscal year 2027, reaching approximately 45 million units by the fiscal year 2028, indicating that Apple’s entry will notably boost the overall demand for foldable phones.
In terms of the supply chain, analyst Chatterjee indicated that connector manufacturer Amphenol and specialty glass producer Corning could be the major beneficiaries of this development, particularly driven by the high demand for foldable phones. According to CNBC, both companies recorded strong growth by 2025, with Amphenol’s stock price soaring over 50% this year, while Corning saw an increase of more than 30%. These gains far outpace the 8% rise of the S&P 500.
In contrast, Apple’s performance this year has been relatively poor, with its stock price falling over 10%. Analysts believe that the launch of a foldable iPhone could act as a boost for Apple’s stock, especially given the limited upgrades in the current iPhone 17 series. There’s a lot of anticipation in the market for the foldable products expected to launch in 2026.
