Apple’s first foldable iPhone is not expected to be ready before 2027 as the company continues to grapple with key hardware issues, according to a new report from TrendForce.
Recent rumors have predicted that the long-awaited foldable iPhone could be ready as soon as next year or 2026, but today’s report highlights that Apple is still at an exploratory stage for the device. The main obstacle Apple is working on is the creasing that arises at the display’s folding point, with the company “evaluating component specifications” with suppliers at the current stage.
However, Apple’s entry into the foldable market is likely to “significantly shift market dynamics,” the report adds. This market segment could represent a new growth opportunity for iPhone sales which has been struggling in recent years, with the report stating that foldables could have a market share of nearly 5 percent by 2028.
The foldable iPhone has remained a subject of speculation from rumors ever since Samsung and Huawei launched their foldable devices. After a slow start with many reliability issues, foldable devices are here to stay, with Apple also rumored to work on foldable iPad and MacBook models that could first launch by the end of next year.
The most concrete foldable iPhone rumor to date is from The Information, which has often provided accurate information regarding Apple’s future roadmap. According to a report from February, Apple has ramped up work on the foldable iPhone in recent months with prototypes featuring a clamshell folding design. The Information adds that the device isn’t on Apple’s mass production schedule for 2024 and 2025, suggesting 2026 as the earliest possible launch date.
