Conflicting reports cloud foldable iPhone launch as Samsung stays on track

Several reports have claimed that Apple will launch its first foldable iPhone this year, and Samsung is preparing to counter it with two Galaxy Z Fold series phones (standard and wide variants). However, conflicting reports about the foldable iPhone’s launch timeline have now emerged.

A recent report from Nikkei Asia claims that Apple has faced setbacks during the engineering test phase of the first foldable iPhone. According to multiple sources, the company has encountered complex issues during early production. Apparently, it is taking more time than expected to resolve those problems. It could delay the launch by several months in a worst-case scenario.

The foldable iPhone was previously rumored to debut in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max. If the launch is delayed, it could slip to December 2026 or even early 2027.

However, a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that the device remains on track and will debut during Apple’s usual iPhone launch window (September) later this year.

According to another report, the foldable iPhone could be named the iPhone Ultra. It is rumored to feature a wider aspect ratio, with a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch foldable screen.

The device's foldable panel is reportedly being supplied exclusively by Samsung Display and is said to have an almost no visible crease. The technology behind the crease-free design is believed to be developed by Apple, which may have already trademarked it. Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z series phone's foldable screen is also expected to have an almost crease-free appearance and feel.

The device is expected to feature a dual-camera setup on the rear and a 24MP front-facing camera on each display. It may not include Face ID and could instead use a side-mounted capacitive fingerprint reader.

The chassis is rumored to use a titanium and aluminum alloy, while the hinge could be made from a combination of stainless steel and titanium. The phone could measure around 4.5mm in thickness when unfolded and about 9mm to 9.5mm when folded.

The foldable iPhone is also rumored to be powered by the A19 Pro chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM and at least 256GB of internal storage. It could feature a battery capacity ranging between 5,400mAh and 5,800mAh. That is higher in capacity compared to the rumored battery capacity of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold Wide (tentative name).

The device is expected to be priced between $2,000 and $2,500.