Apple is preparing a foldable iPhone expected to cost around $2,000, according to people familiar with the company’s supply chain activity.
Components for the device are already being produced and distributed among suppliers ahead of an expected September timeline.
The pricing would place it well above Apple’s current Pro Max models, which start around $1,199.
If accurate, the foldable would represent Apple’s most expensive mainstream iPhone to date, priced closer to a high-end laptop than to a traditional smartphone.
The device is expected to use a dual-screen design, with a 5.5-inch external display and a larger 7.8-inch internal panel that opens into a tablet-like form factor.
When unfolded, the screen size is comparable to an iPad mini, enabling use cases such as reading, video playback, and document review without switching devices.
The hinge and display mechanism remain the most closely watched engineering challenges.
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Early foldable devices from other manufacturers have struggled with visible creasing and long-term durability issues. Apple has reportedly focused heavily on reducing those problems, particularly around hinge reliability and long-term wear.
Recent supply chain signals suggest production is progressing, with component shipments moving in limited volumes to assembly partners.
While delays have been rumored in earlier reporting, current activity indicates the project remains on track for introduction within Apple’s fall product cycle, though availability timing could vary after announcement.
Apple is also expected to adjust its iPhone launch strategy this cycle. The standard iPhone 18 model may shift to a later release window, while higher-end models, including the foldable, are expected to anchor the September lineup.
The company has used staggered release strategies before, though not at this scale across the entire iPhone range.
The foldable iPhone would sit at the very top of Apple’s lineup, above Pro and Pro Max models. It is expected to target users who already operate across multiple devices, combining phone and tablet functionality into a single form factor.
Design tradeoffs are expected throughout the device. Touch ID may return in place of Face ID due to internal space constraints, and the rear camera system is expected to be reduced compared to Pro models.
The focus appears to be on achieving a workable foldable design rather than matching the full feature set of Apple’s flagship phones. Apple has not publicly confirmed the device.
