According to reports, Apple's first foldable phone will not be released until the end of this year, in December. This projection is three months later than the September date mentioned in previous reports. This information was provided by Tim Long, an analyst at Barclays investment bank. Long cited supply chain problems as the reason for this delay.
Redaksiya reports, citing its source, that most Apple observers expect the company to introduce and release its first foldable phone, as well as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, in September. Apple has not yet made any statement regarding this matter. Apple Insider, however, expresses skepticism about his claims regarding a December release, citing Tim Long's past inaccurate predictions for the iPhone X and iPhone 16 models.
In his note to Barclays, Tim Long also suggested that Apple might bring back the iPhone Plus model in the iPhone 18 series in March 2027. The Plus model was removed from Apple's product line last September, replaced by the ultra-thin iPhone Air. Current reports indicate that iPhone Air sales are weak, despite CNET reviewer Abrar Al-Heeti being impressed with the device. Currently, Long is the only one speculating about the return of the Plus model. Most Apple observers, however, expect the company to introduce the iPhone 18 base model, the budget-friendly iPhone 18e, and the iPhone Air 2 next March.
Although Apple is late to the foldable phone market, this will not hinder its success. The company has not yet officially confirmed the release of its first foldable phone, but it is considered inevitable. Apple is falling behind in this area, as competitors like Motorola Razr Fold, Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, OnePlus Open, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Xiaomi Mix Flip have already introduced their foldable models. CNET analyst Andrew Lanxon noted that Apple should introduce a foldable phone this year, otherwise, it risks competitors like Samsung or Motorola solidifying their leadership in this segment. However, Counterpoint Research analysts predict that Apple's entry into this market will significantly change the competitive landscape, and the iPhone foldable phone could capture a 28% market share upon its release. There are also numerous speculations about the design elements Apple has in mind for its foldable device. The device could resemble two iPhones combined and might be presented without a crease, which is one of the main problems faced by foldable phone manufacturers.