In a potential shake-up of its product rollout schedule, Apple appears poised to alter the traditional cadence for iPhone introductions in 2026. According to recent analyses, the tech giant might skip the usual broad iPhone 18 series debut. Rather, the company’s customary September showcase could spotlight just three high-end variants: the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a groundbreaking addition—the iPhone Fold.
Image Credits: Mashable India
More affordable options would trail behind by several months, with the iPhone Air 2 and the entry-level iPhone 18e slated for an early 2027 launch in the spring season. Among this expanded roster of six devices, the innovative foldable model is projected to command the highest price tag, with one financial outlet pegging its base cost at $2,399.
Anticipated Cost Breakdown
Prior projections had pegged the iPhone 18 Fold’s value somewhere in the $2,000 to $2,500 range. Hitting the lower end around $2,000 would align it competitively with rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold in the burgeoning foldables market. Opting for the upper threshold near $2,500, however, would position Apple’s entrant as the priciest contender in this niche segment.
Factors Driving the Premium Tag on the iPhone Fold
Industry watcher Arthur Liao from Fubon anticipates a 4% dip in global smartphone dispatches for 2026, bringing totals down to 1.2 billion devices. In the Chinese market, volumes are tipped to hit 275 million, reflecting a 3% downturn. Apple’s own iPhone dispatches worldwide could slide by 4% as well, landing at 234 million units. Liao highlights escalating expenses for key parts as a major hurdle for device manufacturers heading into the new year.
Memory chip costs, specifically for RAM, have surged 75% this current quarter over last year’s equivalent period. Overall manufacturing expenses—or bill of materials—might climb an additional 5 to 7 percent in 2026, fueled by heightened needs for processors, storage modules, and other essentials.
Turning to the iPhone Fold specifically, Liao flags elements like the advanced OLED screen, the sophisticated folding mechanism, and specialized slim-profile components as prime culprits for the elevated outlay. Fresh intel from this week echoes longstanding rumors that the device could boast a seamless, crease-less screen surface. Past dispatches indicated Apple’s intent to tackle the notorious folding crease problem head-on, potentially at the expense of sourcing pricier, flawless panels directly from Samsung.
Fubon’s $2,399 figure draws from intricate supply network insights alongside Apple’s customary profit margin benchmarks.
Projected Market Performance
Even with its steep sticker, the iPhone Fold holds promise as a catalyst for revitalizing the mobile sector, per Liao’s take. Fubon forecasts Apple moving 15.4 million units in total for the lineup, including a solid 5.4 million cleared during the 2026 calendar year.
