Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts limited availability of Apple's first foldable smartphone shortly after its expected launch late in the third quarter of 2026. Production is projected to start slowly due to the device's complex folding design, with only 500,000 to one million units available initially. Demand is expected to remain high despite a price reaching up to $2,500.
Kuo estimates that Apple will ramp up output afterward, shipping seven to eight million units by the end of 2026. He compared the situation to the iPhone X launch, which also encountered early manufacturing hurdles from new technologies.
The device is anticipated to sell out quickly after pre-orders begin, with delivery lead times extending to six weeks or more through December. Kuo noted that scarce supply, combined with a recognizable design and innovative experience, could drive a short-term resale premium.
Apple has not confirmed the product's existence, though references in the iOS 27 beta, including terms such as foldState and angleDegrees, lend some support to the timeline. The rumored model features a 5.5-inch exterior display and a 7.8-inch interior display.
