Foldable iPhone Development Progressing Towards a 2026 Release
It seems the long-awaited foldable iPhone is finally taking shape! According to reports, Apple has officially entered the prototyping phase with its suppliers, signaling a significant step forward in its development. If all goes according to plan, we might just see this innovative device hit the market in 2026.
The information suggests that Apple kicked off the initial "Prototype 1" (P1) phase back in June. Each prototyping stage is estimated to take around two months. The device is expected to complete testing by the end of 2025, moving then to the Engineering Verification Test (EVT) stage, which is crucial to ensure the device meets all engineering requirements.
What does this mean for us? Well, it means that Apple is seriously committed to bringing a foldable iPhone to life. The company’s supply chain partners are already conducting trial runs to validate production yields.
Foxconn and Pegatron, the primary iPhone assemblers, will eventually take over the responsibility of ensuring the manufacturability of the device.
The development timeline seems to align with Apple’s other product launches. The P1 to P3 stages, which will lead to EVT, DVT (Design Verification Test), and finally MP (Mass Production), are slated to occur about a year before Apple needs to start the EVT phase. This suggests that Apple is on track to meet its target launch date.
While the foldable iPhone is progressing, it appears Apple has put the brakes on a foldable iPad. The company's reasoning seems practical: manufacturing complexities, increased costs due to flexible display technology, and a perceived lack of strong consumer demand for large-screen foldables. Sometimes, you have to prioritize.
If the timeline holds, the first foldable iPhone is likely to debut alongside the iPhone 18 lineup in the fall of 2026. As someone who appreciates innovation, I am eager to see what Apple brings to the foldable market. It’s bound to be something special, right?
Source: Mac Rumors