iPhone Fold: Apple Prepares Its First Foldable iPhone for 2026, a Foldable iPad Expected in 2028
The wait is almost over: according to a new note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026. This ambitious move could disrupt the foldable smartphone market, which is currently dominated by Samsung and Huawei.
The foldable iPad is set to follow in 2028 with a large-screen foldable version.
An iPhone Fold Expected by 2026
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone Fold will utilize ultra-thin glass (UTG), supplied by Corning, while the Taiwanese firm GIS will handle the cutting, inspection, and packaging. This technology is two to four times more expensive than traditional glass, but it ensures both thinness and durability.
Apple seems confident: its sales forecasts have now been adjusted to 8 to 10 million units in 2026 and 20 to 25 million in 2027. These figures are impressive, especially when compared to the combined sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, which reached just 5 million units by the end of 2024.
A Foldable iPad Expected for 2028
After the iPhone, Apple will turn its attention to the foldable tablet market. The first iPad Fold is anticipated to debut in 2028. Again, GIS will be responsible for processing the UTG glass. However, due to the larger screen size, production costs will be even higher.
Apple remains cautious: initial shipments are estimated at between 500,000 and 1 million units in the first year, far less than the projections for the iPhone Fold. With a high price point and a less portable form factor, this foldable iPad may remain a niche product.
Vision Air: The Lighter and More Affordable Headset
In parallel, Apple is developing a more accessible mixed-reality headset: the Vision Air, slated for release in 2027. It will be lighter than the Vision Pro and expected to be more affordable. GIS will again supply the Pancake lenses exclusively.
Apple hopes to ship about one million units in the first year, significantly higher than the Vision Pro’s struggling sales, which have yet to exceed 400,000 units.
Apple Aims to Dominate the Foldable Market
With a foldable iPhone set for 2026, a foldable iPad in 2028, and a Vision Air in 2027, Apple is laying out an ambitious roadmap. If these forecasts hold true, the iPhone Fold could surpass the global sales of all other foldables in its first year alone. The question remains whether users will be ready to adopt these premium products at their anticipated price points…
