In addition to offering a seamless large display instead of two separate panels, the device’s slimness is a critical design factor. Previous reports suggest the iPhone Fold will be as thin as the iPhone Air when unfolded.

This is unsurprising, as Apple has long pursued minimal thickness across its entire product line. Given that a foldable phone naturally becomes twice as thick when closed, keeping it slim when open is essential for balance and portability.

Gurman predicts that the iPhone Fold will be priced at no less than USD 2,000  -  significantly higher than current iPhone models.

As for the launch window, it is expected to fall in fall 2026, aligning with several other leaked reports.

Some rumors claim that the iPhone Fold could be even thinner than the iPhone Air. In July, one source suggested a thickness of just 4.8 mm, compared to 5.1 mm for the iPad Pro M4 and 5.6 mm for the iPhone Air.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo even speculated that the device’s thickness could be reduced to 4.5 mm, potentially making the iPhone Fold one of Apple’s thinnest products ever.

In terms of screen size, the main display when unfolded is expected to measure about 7.5 inches, while the external cover screen will be around 5.5 inches  -  compact and user-friendly.

Manufacturing strategy: India emerges as a key location

From a production standpoint, Gurman noted that Apple is working with suppliers and manufacturing partners to refine the process. Foxconn in China will likely continue to play a major role, but India is becoming an increasingly important manufacturing base for the iPhone Fold.

Apple’s expansion into India aligns with its strategy to diversify its supply chain and reduce dependency on any single region. The company has already shifted a significant portion of iPhone assembly to the South Asian nation, aiming to have most iPhones sold in the U.S. assembled in India by 2026.

Although Apple has not yet faced major tariffs on Chinese imports, the volatile global political landscape could shift at any moment. Establishing manufacturing in India allows Apple to better weather future disruptions.

A September 18 report indicated that Apple is currently setting up a pilot production line in Taiwan (China), which will serve as a model to be scaled in India. This approach is expected to shorten the time needed to finalize the product’s design.

However, Apple's plan to manufacture in India still faces significant challenges. The company remains dependent on importing key components from China and must build a domestic supply chain network while restructuring its global logistics system to adapt to the new environment.

With a price tag of over USD 2,000, the iPhone Fold is clearly targeted at premium consumers willing to invest heavily in cutting-edge tech.

While it remains uncertain whether the product will replicate the revolutionary impact of the original iPhone, it’s clear Apple is betting on foldables as part of the mobile future.

Hai Phong