First $2,000 Foldable iPhone Expected at Apple Hardware Launch
Apple has scheduled its annual hardware event for September 9, 2026, at Apple Park in California, where the company is expected to unveil its first folding iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. The product event signals a major strategic shift for mobile hardware competitors and consumer electronics buyers as the manufacturer targets the ultra-premium foldable segment under incoming Chief Executive Officer John Ternus, who formally assumes leadership on September 1.
Book-style design paired with Touch ID and a 7.8-inch display
Reports indicate the folding device uses a book-style form factor with a 5.5-inch external screen that opens into a 7.8-inch main display. Measuring roughly 4.5mm thick when unfolded, the chassis design requires hardware modifications, including replacing Face ID with a side-button Touch ID sensor and omitting the telephoto lens in favor of dual 48-megapixel rear cameras. Initial pricing for the new flagship tier is projected to start around $2,000, with high-tier storage configurations reaching $2,500 or more.
iPhone 18 Pro line and new software release dates round out keynote
Carrying the official tagline ‘Surprise and shine,’ the keynote will also feature conventional hardware updates, including the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Standard iPhone 18 models are deferred until 2027 to launch alongside an iPhone 18e and a second-generation iPhone Air, according to reports citing industry sources. Additional debuts expected at the briefing include the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, a standalone home hub, and official availability dates for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate.
Market tracking by IDC projects Apple will ship over 10 million foldable iPhones during its first year on sale, capturing nearly 40 percent of global foldable shipments by 2027. Samsung currently dominates the foldable smartphone market, where unit growth continues to outpace overall mobile handset demand.
