For years, the Foldable phones have been the domain of brands like Samsung, Huawei, and Oppo.While Apple watched from the sidelines as this format matured, leaks and analyst reports are now beginning to paint a fairly clear picture: the first foldable iPhone is on its way, and everything indicates that it will arrive at the high end of the market, also in terms of price.
The various sources agree that the future iPhone Fold It would start from a figure close to $2.000This positions it as one of the most expensive smartphones available. After the conversion to euros and the company's usual pricing policy in Europe, the device is expected to easily exceed the €2.000 mark in Spain, making it a target for users very willing to pay for a new device.
The first foldable iPhone: a hybrid between a mobile phone and a small tablet
Apple has spent years registering patents, manufacturing prototypes, and testing designs for a iPhone foldable in a book-like formatThe idea is not simply to fold a conventional iPhone, but to create a device that, when opened, approaches the experience of a mini tablet, with a screen surface similar to that of an iPad mini.
The most recent leaks describe a mobile phone that When closed, it would have an external screen of between 5,3 and 5,5 inchesvery similar to that of a traditional smartphone, and which, when unfolded, would reveal an interior panel of about 7,7-7,8 inchThis internal panel would be wider than it is tall when used horizontally, with an aspect ratio designed for comfortably watching videos, reading, or working with multiple apps.
This approach would allow Apple to position the device as a hybrid between iPhone and iPadBut it won't literally turn into a tablet. It's not expected to run iPadOS, but rather a version of iOS specifically tailored to the foldable form factor, with interface changes to take advantage of the larger screen.
The design that has been leaked suggests rather compact shapes when the terminal is closedIt's slightly wider and shorter than a current iPhone, and clearly smaller than an iPad mini. When opened, the user would find a large, almost square surface, more reminiscent of an iPad used horizontally than the typical elongated screen of a mobile phone.
In the back, rumors speak of a dual-camera module in a horizontal barwith integrated flash and microphone. The goal wouldn't be to lead Apple's lineup in pure photography, but rather to balance thickness, weight, and internal space with a competent yet relatively compact camera system, similar in spirit to what has been leaked for a hypothetical iPhone Air.
An iOS adapted for foldable screens and improved multitasking
One of the key aspects of the project is the software. Apple would be involved. redesigning part of iOS so that it adapts intelligently to the foldable screen. The company has reportedly ruled out using iPadOS as is, but will borrow many ideas from its interface.
When the iPhone Fold fully unfoldedThe applications would reorganize their design to more closely resemble the iPad experience: navigation sidebars In many apps, content views are presented in a denser grid format and are designed for landscape use. When the device is folded again, the same apps revert to the traditional iPhone view, without any radical changes for the user.
Multitasking would be present, but in a somewhat simpler form than on a tablet. Leaks suggest that Two apps can be run simultaneously on the inner screenwith a split-screen system similar to other foldable phones on the market. However, it wouldn't implement the full array of floating windows and advanced modes offered by iPadOS, with the intention of maintaining the iPhone identity even in this new format.
This iOS redesign isn't limited to rearranging menus. Apple is reportedly working on... specific animations, transitions, and gestures to open, close, and rearrange apps when folding or unfolding the device. Integration with the rest of the ecosystem—Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, or AirPods—would follow the brand's usual approach, but with some features taking advantage of the large screen, such as enlarged document viewing, larger video call windows, or richer control panels.
All these changes involve additional development and testing efforts, both internally and for external developers, which They will need to adapt their apps to take advantage of the new format without breaking the classic iPhone experience. This software work adds to the overall quality of the project and helps explain why the device is priced so high.
Hinge, fold and materials: this is how Apple wants to differentiate itself
One of the reasons why Apple may have taken longer than others to enter the foldable market is the obsession with reducing crease marks and ensuring durability of the screen. The first models from the competition suffered from very visible wrinkles, noisy hinges or resistance problems over time, something that the Californian company would like to avoid at all costs.
Supply chain sources indicate that Apple has developed one of the flexible display assemblies and the most advanced hinge ever seen on a smartphoneThe crease would still exist—current technology doesn't allow for its complete elimination—but it would be much flatter and less noticeable than on many Chinese models. From certain angles, they claim, the crease would be almost invisible when watching videos or reading.
In parallel, there is talk of a reinforced hinge capable of withstanding a large number of opening and closing cycles without loosening or causing play. The mechanism would be designed to better distribute tension across the screen, reducing stress in the central area and extending its lifespan. This type of solution usually significantly increases manufacturing costs.
As for the materials, rumors mention high-end metal frames—there has even been talk of steel or even titanium—in line with the iPhone Pro— and a build designed to convey solidity despite its internal complexity. The overall tone of the range would be understated, with discreet finishes rather than flashy colors, reinforcing the idea of a professional and luxurious product.
Combining advanced hinge, next-generation flexible display, and slim chassis This has had a direct impact on other components. This is the case with the front camera system and biometrics, which have forced Apple to make unusual decisions in the recent history of the iPhone.
Cameras, Touch ID and goodbye to the under-display camera
On the front, Apple would have renounced the hidden camera under the screen after noticing a very obvious loss of image quality. Instead, the iPhone Fold would opt for perforated cameras both on the interior and exterior panels, in the style of what is already seen in many high-end Android phones.
This decision would allow for selfie and video call quality closer to that seen in the rest of the range, albeit at the cost of a small, visible hole in the screen. The iOS interface would adapt around this hole to recreate, as much as possible, an experience similar to Dynamic Islandwith notifications and animations that take advantage of the available space.
On the back, the device would feature two main cameras Instead of the triple-lens camera setup found in the Pro models, the Fold is expected to feature a wide-angle main sensor and an ultra-wide-angle lens, in a more compact, horizontal design. This configuration aligns with rumors that the Fold prioritizes form factor and screen size over extreme photographic versatility.
Even more striking is the supposed change in biometrics. Several reports indicate that, because space limitations in the frame and under the screenApple would have had to forgo Face ID in this foldable model. The array of sensors required for 3D facial recognition would have been too bulky for such a thin chassis.
Instead, the company would recover Touch ID integrated into the side power buttonThis solution has already been seen in some recent iPads. This way, a fast and secure unlocking system would be maintained without compromising the internal design. It's possible that it could be combined with more compact versions of Face ID later on, but in the first generation, the fingerprint reader would be the primary feature.
Power, memory, and storage configuration
Under the hood, everything points to the foldable iPhone being on par with—or even surpassing—the iPhone 18 ProThe most reliable rumors speak of a A20 Pro chip manufactured in 2 nanometers by TSMCThis processor, shared with the higher-end models of its generation, would have to handle the dual screen, multitasking, and the new artificial intelligence features that Apple is expanding in iOS.
Regarding memory, several leaks from suppliers indicate that Apple has already reserved 12GB LPDDR5X RAM modules For this model, this is in line with the most powerful iPhones. This figure clearly surpasses the memory available in many previous-generation iPhones and addresses the need to maintain smooth performance with multiple apps running on the large screen.
The problem is that this movement has occurred in a context of tension in the memory marketReports from the supply chain indicate that the price Apple pays for each RAM module has skyrocketed, jumping from around $30 to nearly $70 in some deals with Samsung. Other suppliers like SK Hynix and Micron don't appear to offer significantly cheaper alternatives.
Regarding storage, sources agree on a range of Three capacities: 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TBWithout a 2TB option in this first iteration. This configuration would put it on par with the current iPhone Pro models, but with a higher price point for each memory upgrade, precisely because of the increased cost of components.
A report based on leaked prices in yuan provides a rough idea of how the versions might scale, by converting those figures to dollars and euros (excluding local taxes) and comparing them with other leaks: The 256GB model would cost around $1.900-$2.000The 512GB version would rise above $2.150, and the 1TB version would hover around $2.400. After translating these prices to the European market, the impact would become even more pronounced.
Why the iPhone Fold will cost over €2.000 in Spain and Europe
If we take as a basis a Starting price around $2.000 in the United StatesIt's difficult to imagine the iPhone Fold arriving in Spain for less than €2.000. The combination of exchange rates, VAT, and Apple's usual pricing policy in the Eurozone clearly pushes the price upwards.
The most frequently repeated estimates place the base model in a range of between 2.200 and 2.300 euros in countries like Spain, France, or Germany. The 512 GB and 1 TB versions could approach the 2.600 and almost 2.900 euros respectively, always depending on how the company decides to adjust the storage levels.
In this range, the iPhone Fold would be positioned above Other reference foldables like the latest Galaxy Z Foldwhich already hovers around €2.000 in our market. Apple doesn't usually compete on price, but rather tends to justify these prices with materials, user experience, and tight integration with its ecosystem.
It is also worth noting that The brand's products tend to depreciate more slowly than many Android devices.In other words, those who want to get their hands on the foldable iPhone at launch will likely have to bear the full cost for quite some time, without expecting significant discounts in the short term.
Until there is an official announcement, the figures will remain indicative, but the consensus among analysts and leakers is clear: It would be the most expensive iPhone in history and one of the most expensive smartphones on the European market, on par with or above the most advanced foldable phones from the competition.
Projected timeline: 2026 as the key year
Although Apple has not confirmed anything, the The most reliable sources indicate dates of 2026 as the year chosen to launch the foldable iPhone. The launch would fit within the usual cycle of presenting new models, probably in the fall, alongside the iPhone 18 range.
Leaks from the assembly line indicate that Apple and partners like Foxconn have reportedly been preparing the production processes for some time.With materials and assembly lines already defined to begin mass production when needed, this suggests the project is at a relatively advanced stage, although last-minute adjustments are always possible.
Some analysts suggest the possibility of a delay towards 2027 If the company believes it needs to further refine the design or enhance durability, it could change that. However, most reports agree that the internal target remains 2026, with the foldable phone sharing the spotlight with other high-end iPhones.
In the case of the European market, and Spain in particular, a very different timeline than the United States is not expected. Logically, the iPhone Fold should arrive in the major European regions in the first wave or shortly thereafter, given that it is one of the brand's most striking products in recent years.
Whatever the final date, the device is not intended to replace the bulk of the range, but rather to launch a new category within the catalogand measure the response of the foldable market from a clearly premium position.
Positioning: an “Ultra” iPhone for a very specific audience
Everything known so far places the foldable iPhone at the very top of Apple's catalog, even above the Pro and Pro Max modelsSeveral reports suggest that the company could fit it into an “Ultra” line or, at the very least, present it as the absolute top-of-the-range model among its smartphones.
This positioning makes sense when considering the whole picture: new form factor, large foldable screen, iOS redesign, advanced hinge, 12GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of storage. The Fold is shaping up to be more of a technological showcase than an immediate bestseller, a kind of ideas lab that sets the course for the high-end market in the coming years.
In terms of target audience, the message is quite clear: It won't be an iPhone for everyone's budget. Nor is it for those who simply want to upgrade their current mobile phone. It's aimed at users very interested in the latest technology, who may have already tried foldable Android phones and want a similar model integrated into the Apple ecosystem, or at professionals who particularly value productivity on a large screen.
This approach is reminiscent of other historic releases from the company, such as the first generations of the Apple Watch or the most exclusive MacBooksThese products debuted at high prices and with a clearly aspirational positioning. Over time, some of the technologies introduced in those products eventually made their way into more affordable ranges.
If this strategy is repeated, the iPhone Fold could be the first step in a wider family of foldable phones in the medium term, with later models that are somewhat more affordable or with different configurations, provided that the market responds positively to the debut of this first generation.
With all the information leaked to date, the future iPhone Fold is shaping up to be One of Apple's most ambitious moves in the smartphone field since the launch of the first iPhoneA book-like foldable device with top-of-the-line hardware, a customized interface, an advanced hinge, and a price tag of around $2.000 in the United States and well over €2.000 in Spain and the rest of Europe. A launch designed to establish a foothold in the ultra-premium segment rather than conquer the mainstream market at once.
