Apple’s foldable iPhone roadmap is coming into sharper focus, and the latest industry chatter points to lower component costs, a new release cadence, and a longer wait for a foldable MacBook.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s foldable iPhone hinge could soon cost around $70–80 per unit, roughly 20–35 percent lower than earlier expectations. The drop is credited to design optimization and manufacturing efficiencies at Foxconn. If those savings hold through mass production, they could help Apple position the iPhone Fold more competitively when it finally launches.
Mizuho expects Apple to shake up its iPhone launch strategy starting in 2026 by splitting releases across autumn and spring. The iPhone 18 family slated for September 2026 is tipped to include four models: Pro, Pro Max, Air, and Fold. The standard iPhone 18 and a more affordable iPhone 18e would then follow in spring 2027. This staggered schedule could keep the lineup fresh year-round and give the foldable model its own spotlight.
On the shipment front, Apple is projected to ship about 229 million iPhones in 2026, down roughly 7 percent from 246 million in 2025. Deliveries are then expected to rebound to around 252 million units in 2027, potentially surpassing the company’s previous high-water mark set in 2015. Mizuho also indicates Apple is already developing new technologies for the iPhone 19 series, aligning with the iPhone’s 20th anniversary in 2027—around the time foldable pricing is forecast to ease further.
As for a foldable MacBook, don’t expect it any time soon. The report suggests Apple’s notebook with an 18.9-inch flexible display is unlikely to arrive before 2028–2029. Apple is said to be prioritizing the foldable iPhone first to assess customer demand and refine the experience before scaling the technology to larger screens.
Key takeaways for shoppers and upgraders:
– The iPhone Fold’s hinge cost is trending lower, which could help Apple price the device more aggressively.
– Apple may split iPhone launches into fall and spring starting in 2026, with iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, Air, and Fold in September, followed by iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in spring 2027.
– Shipments are expected to dip in 2026 and recover in 2027, potentially setting a new production record.
– The iPhone 19, targeted for the iPhone’s 20th anniversary year, is already in development as foldable tech matures.
– A foldable MacBook appears further out, likely 2028–2029, after Apple gauges reception to the foldable iPhone.
For anyone eyeing Apple’s first foldable, the signs point to 2026 as the year to watch, with broader lineup moves designed to keep momentum going into 2027 and beyond.
