Kuo: Foldable iPhone Remains in Planning Stage [Updated]
Update: While a computer translation of Kuo's Chinese blog post said a foldable iPhone would be entering mass production in the second half of 2025, this translation was incorrect. Kuo later shared an English version of the text that said a foldable iPhone remains in the planning stages.
Apple's first foldable iPhone is set to enter mass production in the second half of 2025, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a new post on Medium, Kuo said that the foldable iPhone remains in "the planning stage." The device will reportedly be eSIM-only, just like Apple's upcoming ultra-slim iPhone 17 model. Kuo said that the two devices will likely face hurdles in the Chinese market unless Apple modifies the design to support physical SIM cards.
Kuo said in 2021 that Apple would introduce the first foldable iPhone in 2025 or later, and display analyst Ross Young said in 2022 Apple had delayed its foldable iPhone until 2025.
Analyst Jeff Pu believes that a foldable iPhone could come out as soon as late 2026, while TrendForce believes it will come in 2027. The Information says that Apple could release a foldable iPhone with a clamshell design as soon as 2026. Kuo's latest forecast suggests that the foldable iPhone is on track to be announced in late 2025 or in 2026, but a more specific timeframe remains unknown.
Kuo added that while the ultra-thin iPhone 17 may ship in higher volumes than the iPhone Plus, it likely won't significantly boost iPhone sales overall, "partly due to downgraded components paired with a high price and a user experience similar to current models."
Popular Stories
In addition to updating many of its existing products, Apple is expected to unveil five all-new products this year, including a smart home hub, a Face ID doorbell, a MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, a foldable iPhone, and augmented reality glasses.
Below, we have recapped rumored features for each product.
Smart Home Hub
Apple home hub (concept)
Apple's long-rumored smart home hub should...
Apple is planning to debut a high-end secondary version of AirPods Pro 3 this year, sitting in the lineup alongside the current model, reports suggest.
Back in September 2025, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to introduce a successor to the AirPods Pro 3 in 2026. This would be somewhat unusual since Apple normally waits around three years to make major...
Apple is working on a small, wearable AI pin equipped with multiple cameras, a speaker, and microphones, reports The Information. If it actually launches, the AI pin will likely run the new Siri chatbot that Apple plans to unveil in iOS 27.
The pin is said to be similar in size to an AirTag, with a thin, flat, circular disc shape. It has an aluminum and glass shell, and two cameras at the...
Over the last few months, rumors around the iPhone 18 Pro's front-panel design have been conflicted, with some supply-chain leaks pointing to under-display Face ID, reports suggesting a top-left hole-punch camera, and debate over whether the familiar Dynamic Island will shrink, shift, or disappear entirely.
Today, Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital shared new details that appear to clarify the ...
Apple is expected to release MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips soon, but you might want to pass on them, as bigger changes are around the corner.
It has been reported that the MacBook Pro will be receiving a major redesign in late 2026 or in 2027. Six new features have been rumored so far, including an OLED display, touch capabilities, a Dynamic Island, M6 Pro and M6 Max chips...
