hello. This is Technologytodaynow. The news about the foldable iPhone is also constantly being mentioned. There is news that the price may be cheaper than I thought, so I’m going to take a closer look.
Estimated Price Forecast for Foldable iPhone
According to a recent supply chain report released by the British bank Barclays, Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to cost around $2,300. This is a fairly high price for an already expensive foldable smartphone, compared to the Galaxy Fold 6 or Oppo’s Find N5, which will be released at $1,899.
However, contrary to the expected $2,300 price, there is also a possibility that it will be released at a lower price than previously known predictions, although it is still expensive. According to Bloomberg’s reporter Mark Gurman, Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to be released for $2,000. According to the report, the foldable iPhone is expected to be released in 2026.
Expected Design and Technical Features
So far, the known launch date for foldable iPhones is late 2026 or early 2027. Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to be similar to the tablet PC-style Galaxy Z Fold, rather than a clamshell type like the Galaxy Z Flip, and one of the features of the foldable iPhone is that it does not show well the wrinkles on the screen. In addition, according to a recently released report by Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans to use liquid metal for the foldable iPhone’s hinge.
If so, it is expected to provide a mechanical advantage by increasing the durability against bending or impact, and extend the life of the hinge mechanism. And due to the constant stress of the hinge when folded and unfolded, the resistance of the liquid metal will help it remain flat over time and reduce the likelihood of noticeable wrinkles. In addition, the foldable iPhone is expected to utilize displays and batteries developed with the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, as well as Apple’s own model and Wi-Fi system.
Possible price fluctuations for foldable iPhones
The estimated price is about $2,000, as Mark Gurman claims, and the discount rate or actual sale price is not yet clear. However, for the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the North American factory price was $1,899, and the domestic factory price was significantly cheaper than the US factory price. How much the foldable iPhone can reduce wrinkles, how well it customizes iOS, and how durable it will be will be a factor to overcome the price difference.
However, this outlook does not apply to Korean consumers. As mentioned earlier, while the Galaxy Fold is available in Korea for much less than the dollar price, the foldable iPhone is still likely to be expensive because of the dollar exchange rate plus consumption tax. Nevertheless, the difference between $2,000 and $2,300 feels significant. I wonder if the foldable iPhone will be able to revitalize the sluggish foldable smartphone market.