Highlights

• The foldable iPhone is expected to cost between $2100 and $2300 (approx INR 1,96,945).
• Apple is rumoured to release its first foldable iPhone featuring a 5.5-inch outer and 7.8-inch inner display.
• It may also include under-screen camera technology or embedded Face ID for the inner screen.
• Samsung will exclusively supply OLED panels for the foldable iPhone due to its advanced display technology.

Caption – A concept image of iPhone 18 Fold. (Image credit – 9to5Mac)

It has already been widely reported that Apple might finally jump into the foldable phone game next year with the launch of its first foldable iPhone. It is expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 lineup and rumours have hinted on a few details as of now.

The device is rumoured to feature a 5.5-inch outer display and a larger 7.8-inch inner display with a near 4:3 aspect ratio. And it appears one of Apple’s main goals is to reduce or eliminate the screen crease that’s often seen in other foldables.

iPhone Fold Rumoured Price

Now, according to a new leak from tipster Instant Digital on Weibo, Apple’s foldable iPhone could be priced between $2100 and $2300. That’s a bit higher than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6, which currently starts at $1899.99. Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold is even cheaper, starting at $1799.

Caption – Tipster Instant Digital’s recent on Weibo. (Translated via Google Translate)

This new price range lines up with what well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously predicted. Kuo said, “Based on the iPhone’s profit margin, the iPhone foldable screen is estimated to start at between US$2,100 and US$2,300, not much more expensive than Samsung’s.”

Even though it’s on the pricier side, the foldable iPhone could play a big role in helping Apple bounce back from recent drops in sales. Analysts believe the 2026 version could be a turning point for the company.

Samsung Might Be Key to Apple’s Foldable Plans

One of the main reasons Apple hasn’t released a foldable phone yet is due to concerns about the noticeable crease that appears on most foldable screens. Earlier this year, reports suggested that Samsung had managed to meet Apple’s high standards for display quality.

Now, a new report from BusinessKorea confirms this, saying that while Samsung has nailed it, Apple’s other display suppliers including LG and BOE haven’t hit the mark yet. This means Samsung currently has the exclusive display contract for the foldable iPhone.

The report reads, “Apple has decided to equip its first foldable iPhone, set for release in the latter half of next year, exclusively with OLED panels from Samsung Display. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the industry as Samsung Display will be the sole supplier, excluding LG Display and Chinese BOE panels.”

“The move underscores Samsung’s technological edge in minimizing screen creases, a critical factor in foldable phone design […] For Apple, which prioritizes quality over price when selecting component suppliers, Samsung was the only viable choice,” noted an industry insider,” added the report.

This aligns with an earlier ETNews report that suggested that Samsung has managed to produce display samples meeting Apple’s requirements. It confirmed, “The solution was said to have been achieved through close cooperation between Samsung and Apple hinge supplier Amphenol. The company currently makes MacBook hinges.”

iPhone Fold Might Feature Under-Screen Camera Tech

There is also some buzz around the possibility of an under-screen camera in the iPhone Fold. While it’s technically possible to place the front camera under the display, current implementations have quality issues. Most expect Apple to embed Face ID under the display first, something a recent patent hints they’re working on. The patent was spotted by Patently Apple and it describes a much simpler and reliable way of achieving the goal, which would be to remove some subpixels.

“A subset of all display subpixels in the pixel removal region may be removed by iteratively eliminating the nearest neighboring subpixels of the same color,” the document reads.

Caption – Tipster Digital Chat Station’s recent post on Weibo. (Translated via Google Translate)

In any case, Leaker Digital Chat Station (DCS) initially claimed the foldable iPhone might have “under-screen camera technology” for the inner screen with a punch-hole camera on the outer one. DCS wrote, “Here is a heavyweight exclusive information, Apple folding screen. Inner screen [has] under-screen camera technology.”

However, it’s still unclear whether this means an actual under-display camera or embedded Face ID. In a follow-up post, DCS added, “Apple’s folding screen is an internal screen test under-screen camera, which is likely not to have 3D face components. The next two generations of iPhones are still in the form of digging holes.”

Caption – Tipster Digital Chat Station’s follow up post on Weibo. (Translated via Google Translate)

So, this might just be an early test and not something that’ll make it into the final product. Ming-Chi Kuo had earlier said Apple might go with Touch ID instead of Face ID for the foldable model, since there might not be enough space to pack in the full Face ID tech.

DCS also shared what they claim are the exact screen sizes and resolutions:

• Inner screen: 7.76 inches, 2713×1920 resolution, with under-screen camera tech
• Outer screen: 5.49 inches, 2088×1422 resolution, punch-hole design

These numbers match previous reports from Kuo, who said the device would feature a 5.5-inch outer and 7.8-inch inner display.

FAQs

Q1. What are the expected screen specifications for the iPhone 18 Fold?

Answer. The iPhone 18 Fold is rumoured to feature a 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner display with a near 4:3 aspect ratio. The inner screen might include under-screen camera technology, while the outer display may have a punch-hole design.

Q2. What is the estimated price range for the iPhone 18 Fold compared to its competitors?

Answer. The foldable iPhone is expected to be priced between $2100–$2300, which is higher than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 ($1899.99) and Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold ($1799).

Q3. Who will supply the OLED panels for the iPhone 18 Fold?

Answer. Samsung Display will exclusively supply the OLED panels for the foldable iPhone, as they meet Apple’s high standards for minimising screen creases, outperforming other suppliers like LG and BOE.

Also Read: Apple Might Be Planning a New iPhone 19 Pro Design for iPhone’s 20th Anniversary in 2027

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