How does the iPhone Fold differ from Samsung's foldables?

Apple's focus is on three things rivals haven't fully solved: a near-invisible crease, exceptional thinness at 4.5mm when open, and deep iOS 27 integration tailored for the folding form factor. Samsung leads in sales volume, but Apple is betting on experience quality over being first to market.

Why is Apple dropping Face ID on the Fold?

A foldable device needs internal space for the hinge, dual displays, and battery. Face ID modules require significant front-panel real estate. Apple's solution — a side-mounted Touch ID in the power button — has already been used successfully on iPad models.

Is the $2,000–$2,500 price justified?

Bill of materials estimates exceed $750 per unit due to the complexity of the foldable display and hinge engineering. Apple is pricing the first generation as a new product category rather than competing on volume — the same approach used with Vision Pro. The second generation in 2027 is expected to be broader and more accessible.

Will the iPhone Fold be available in Arab markets?

Apple's first-generation devices typically launch first in a limited set of markets (US, Europe, Japan, Australia), then expand. Arab markets generally receive Apple devices within weeks to months of the global launch.

What is iOS 27 and how does it differ from iOS 26?

Mark Gurman has described iOS 27 as a "Snow Leopard" update — focused on underlying performance and quality rather than flashy new features, with new interfaces optimized for the iPhone Fold's large display and tighter integration with the rebuilt LLM-based Siri.

The iPhone Fold tops the list of most anticipated devices in 2026: a 7.6-inch crease-free screen and a starting price of $2,000.

The Next Apple Device Leading 2026's Most-Anticipated Rankings: iPhone Fold

In a year packed with Apple launches — from the iPhone 17e to the MacBook Neo — the iPhone Fold consistently tops global anticipation lists as the most eagerly awaited device of 2026. What makes it exceptional is that it marks Apple's first entry into the foldable smartphone market — after years of watching Samsung and others navigate this territory.

Design: Book-Style, Not Clamshell

The iPhone Fold adopts a book-style design that folds horizontally — closer to the Galaxy Z Fold than the Z Flip. The inner display measures around 7.6 inches when open, the outer display around 5.3 inches when closed, and the device will be just 4.5mm thin when unfolded — making it Apple's thinnest device ever — and between 9 and 9.5mm when folded.

The Engineering Bet: Nearly Invisible Crease

Apple has reportedly solved the most common foldable complaint — the visible screen crease — through new engineered materials, a metal stress-distribution plate in the hinge area, and the use of Liquidmetal to enhance durability.

Expected Specifications

The Fold is expected to run on an A20 Pro chip built on a 2nm process, with 12GB RAM and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage options. It will be eSIM-only with no physical SIM slot, using Apple's custom C2 modem.

Rather than Face ID — which takes up significant internal space — the Fold is expected to use a side-mounted Touch ID button, similar to how Apple has handled biometrics on certain iPad models.

The 4:3 inner display is optimized for multitasking and productivity, with iOS 27 introducing split-screen functionality, drag-and-drop, and seamless transitions between folded and unfolded states.

Pricing: Apple's Most Expensive iPhone Ever

Expected pricing is between $2,000 and $2,500, with recent reports leaning toward the higher end — making it the most expensive iPhone in Apple's history by a clear margin. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo projects 3 to 5 million units in 2026 as an initial wave, with 20 million units expected in 2027 alongside the second generation.

Timeline: Fall 2026 — With Caveats

Mark Gurman expects a fall 2026 launch as part of the iPhone 18 lineup, though reports note that a delay to early 2027 remains possible given ongoing challenges around key design elements such as the hinge.