First foldable iPhone on track to rival Galaxy Z Flip 8

Samsung launched its first foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold 5G, more than five years ago. Apple, however, still hasn’t. Previous reports suggested that the Cupertino-based tech giant might launch the first foldable iPhone in 2026. Now, a new report says that the timeline still holds, meaning that Apple is on track to release the first foldable iPhone around the same time when Samsung will release the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8.

According to Jeff Pu, Apple is on track to release the first foldable iPhone as well as a foldable device that will be a hybrid of iPad and MacBook in 2026. The analyst says that the company will launch the foldable iPad/Mac hybrid in the second quarter of 2026 and the foldable iPhone later that year. Previous reports have suggested that the foldable iPhone might have the same clamshell foldable form factor as the Galaxy Z Flip series phones.

Why won't Apple launch the foldable iPhone first?

The first foldable iPhone might sell in high numbers, and if something goes wrong with it, the company might have to bear heavy consequences. That’s probably why it is planning to launch the iPad/Mac hybrid first. It might sell much lesser compared to the foldable iPhone. So, If anything goes wrong with it, the brand might not have to bear consequences as heavy as it would have to if something goes wrong with the foldable iPhone.

The story continues after the video…

When Apple launches the first iPhone, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series will have a lead of around seven years. However, Apple’s first-generation products are known for being as good as or sometimes even better than products that have had multiple predecessors. That being said, let’s not forget that Samsung will be the one supplying displays to Apple for the first foldable iPhone. So, Apple can’t be too ahead of Samsung in the space.