Apple will use technologies developed for the upcoming ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air to create future iPhone models, including a foldable version that could arrive as soon as next year, according to a new report.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman writes that Apple is working on a foldable iPhone that's similar in style to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold, which uses a book-style folding mechanism, rather than the clamshell design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. Gurman says Apple's version will have "less of a screen crease" when it's open. Notably, recent reports have suggested that the display on Apple's first foldable will look virtually crease-free to the human eye.
According to Gurman, the device will take advantage of the display, battery, modem, and chip advances that Apple has made in its development of the iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to replace the "Plus" model in Apple's smartphone lineup this year. The ultra-thin phone is rumored to use Apple's new C1 modem, which debuted in the iPhone 16e last month, along with a 6.6-inch 120Hz ProMotion display. Despite its lightweight design, Gurman claims the iPhone 17 Air will provide battery life that is "on par with current iPhones." Separately, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said the iPhone 17 Air will have a "high-density" battery.
It might not be too long before we learn just how these technologies translate to a foldable device. Apple's first foldable recently entered the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn, according to analyst Jeff Pu, with mass production slated to begin in the second half of 2026. Reports suggest Apple could launch the device either late next year or in early 2027.
Best start saving now, though. According to a recent Barclays Bank investor research note, Apple's first foldable iPhone could have a starting price in the $2,300 range in the United States, which would make it the most expensive iPhone model ever. This lines up with a previous report by supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, in which he predicted that the first foldable iPhone would be priced between $2,000 and $2,500.
