Apple’s upcoming iPhone release strategy has sparked renewed interest in the long-rumoured foldable iPhone, with reports suggesting the device may debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Previous leaks had indicated that Apple might stagger the release of its iPhone 18 series, launching the Pro models first and delaying the base model until the following year. The foldable iPhone now appears set to join the Pro models for a potential September unveiling.
A post on Weibo reported that Apple’s foldable iPhone display will enter mass production in July. This timing coincides with the display production schedule for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, hinting that the foldable model could follow the same launch window. Apple’s standard product cycle typically sees devices entering mass production in July ahead of a September launch, supporting expectations that the foldable iPhone could arrive in the fall.
For its foldable screens, Apple is reportedly relying solely on Samsung, excluding LG Display from the project. Foldable displays are among the most technically challenging components in smartphone manufacturing. Key areas of concern include managing the display crease, ensuring long-term durability, and engineering a reliable hinge mechanism.
Despite the challenges, rumours about Apple’s foldable iPhone have circulated for years. Reports of internal prototypes and hinge experiments across supply chains suggest the company has had considerable time to refine the design. Analysts say this preparation increases the likelihood that Apple will enter the foldable smartphone market with a polished, high-end device.
If Apple proceeds as planned, the foldable iPhone could mark its first full-scale foray into the foldable segment, complementing the advanced features expected in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Observers believe the device may serve as a flagship product, reinforcing Apple’s presence in the premium smartphone market and competing directly with foldable offerings from competitors.
Apple has not officially confirmed any details about the foldable iPhone or its release schedule, maintaining its characteristic secrecy around upcoming products. The company’s approach has historically limited leaks to speculative reports and supply chain chatter, leaving consumers and industry watchers to piece together timelines from production trends and component news.
Apple’s iPhone release strategy has raised an important question: where does the long-rumoured foldable iPhone fit in? If current reports are accurate, the company may finally answer that question this fall, unveiling the device alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. The move would place Apple in the growing foldable smartphone market, joining rivals who have already released devices with flexible screens, while potentially setting new standards for design, performance, and innovation in the category.
