Apple"s iPhone 17 launch is just a few days away. But that doesn"t stop people from speculating about the company"s future, particularly the foldable iPhone. It makes sense because Apple is already left behind in the race started by Samsung, Google, and others.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, we"ll have to wait for another year. Apple is expected to launch a foldable iPhone in 2026, followed by a foldable iPad in 2028. Kuo"s latest note corroborates previous rumors suggesting that Apple will launch its foldable iPhone in 2026.
Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) will be a highlight on both devices, and the Taiwan-based General Interface Solution (GIS) will handle the backend processing of the UTG. It involves tasks such as cutting, edge/corner treatment, inspection, inner/outer packaging, and shipping. GIS will work with Corning, which will be the exclusive supplier of raw UTG for iPhone.
Working on UTG is a delicate affair, according to Kuo, as the glass is "highly sensitive to micro-cracks on the edges, surface particles, and stress fatigue." It"s expected to push costs two to four times higher as it involves complex backend processing compared to the standard cover glass used in smartphones.
Moreover, the price of a UTG unit for the foldable iPad will be considerably higher than that of the foldable iPhone, given its bigger screen real estate.
Apple previously estimated to ship around 6 to 8 million foldable iPhone units in 2026 and 10 to 15 million in 2027. Kuo said that the iPhone-maker revised its shipment forecasts recently and now expects 8 to 10 million shipments in 2026, followed by 20 to 25 million in 2027. Meanwhile, the foldable iPad is forecasted to reach around 0.5 to 1 million shipments in 2028.
A foldable iPhone could save the day for Apple when it can"t keep up with the rivals on the AI front. Some of its fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a foldable.
Apple is looking for new growth drivers, and one of them will most likely arrive next week at its Awe Dropping event. It was reported that the iPhone 17 lineup could kick off a three-year cycle of major design changes and set the stage for Apple"s boldest iPhone evolution in recent years.