By Shaikh Mobiles — Published: November 26, 2025
Apple is reportedly getting closer to launching its first foldable iPhone. Multiple supply-chain reports claim the device has moved out of experimental stages and into engineering validation / pre-mass production — and that Apple is aiming for a September 2026 launch.
Crease-free display — the headline feature
The most notable claim about Apple’s foldable is that it will use a crease-free inner display — a problem that has plagued competing foldables since their debut. Reports say Apple has implemented a custom panel structure and lamination technique (sometimes described in leaks as involving advanced metal or “liquid-metal” components for the hinge/structure) to dramatically reduce or eliminate the visible crease that appears at the fold. If true, this would be a first for mainstream foldable phones.
Panel supplier and engineering
Current leaks indicate the inner foldable OLED panel will come from Samsung Display while Apple designs the panel structure, lamination and hinge assembly in-house — a hybrid approach that leverages Samsung’s OLED manufacturing with Apple’s proprietary assembly and stress-management design. Reports also note that Apple and its production partners are running engineering verification tests and producing early EVT units.
Expected specs & design direction
- Form factor: Book-style fold (similar to Galaxy Z Fold line) with an external cover screen and a larger inner tablet-like screen.
- Reported screen sizes (rumoured): ~7.8-inch inner display and ~5.5-inch cover display.
- High-end internals expected (Apple silicon A-series successor, ample RAM and storage options) and premium materials (reinforced frame / titanium or hybrid alloys in rumours).
Price — firmly premium
Early pricing estimates put the iPhone Fold in the ultra-premium bracket. Recent analyst and leak-based reporting suggests a starting price in the area of US$2,200–2,400, reflecting the cost of the specialized crease-free display, hinge engineering and premium materials.
What this means for Pakistani buyers: after import duties, taxes and retailer margins, the iPhone Fold — if priced near US$2,300–2,400 — would likely cost well into the high hundreds of thousands of PKR on launch in Pakistan, making it an enthusiast/luxury purchase rather than a mainstream option.
Timeline & what to watch next
The most consistent leaks place the launch window in the second half of 2026, with a likely reveal aligned with Apple’s September hardware announcements. Watch for additional confirmations such as supplier shipments .
Bottom line
Apple appears to be taking a careful, engineering-first approach to foldables — aiming to solve the crease problem before shipping a mainstream product. If the crease-free technology, panel supply and hinge engineering all come together, the iPhone Fold could set a new standard for foldable screens. But with a probable starting price in the US$2,200–2,400 range, expect this device to be squarely aimed at power users and early adopters.
Sources:
- MacRumors — Crease-free iPhone Fold report and engineering validation.
- Tom’s Guide — pricing leak (US$2,399) and feature roundup.
- AppleInsider — foldable crease reports and production prep.
- PhoneArena — EVT testing and early production units.
- Heise — production and pricing updates.
- geonewsurdu