iPhone Fold: Prototype phase started, release 2026

Apple is working on a foldable iPhone – that's now clear. For a long time, there was only speculation, but now there's concrete information about the development status and the planned release date. The project is a high priority internally, and the first testing phases with suppliers have already begun. The device, currently known as the iPhone Fold, is scheduled to launch in fall 2026.

While other manufacturers like Samsung and Huawei have long been selling foldable smartphones, Apple has so far held back. But that doesn't mean nothing has happened—quite the opposite. Behind the scenes, Apple has been reviewing concepts, testing technologies, and apparently even developing its own standards for foldable displays over the past few years. Now it's clear: The foldable iPhone is coming, but Apple is taking its time, as usual. The goal is a mature product—not a rushed release.

First prototype phase started

According to a report by DigiTimes, Apple entered the so-called P1 phase for the foldable iPhone in June 2025. During this phase, the first functional prototypes are created. They serve to test the basic feasibility – both in terms of design and functionality. P1 is followed by two further prototype phases: P2 and P3. Each of these phases lasts approximately two months. Apple works closely with various suppliers, who conduct initial test runs during this time. The finished prototypes are then handed over to the main assembly plants Foxconn and Pegatron. There, tests are carried out to determine, among other things, how efficiently the device can be produced and whether the production yield is sufficient.

Timeline for market launch

If all goes as planned, the iPhone Fold will launch in the second half of 2026. It is apparently planned to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 series—probably in September, Apple's usual timeframe. Several testing and validation phases will follow before then. After completing P3, the foldable iPhone will move on to the EVT (Engineering Verification Test) phase. This phase verifies whether the technical design is stable and ready for market. This is followed by DVT (Design Verification Test) and MP (Mass Production). This corresponds to the standard schedule that Apple has also used for previous iPhone generations.

For comparison: The iPhone 17 series already completed its EVT phase in the second quarter of 2025.

Foldable iPad paused for now

Originally, the company planned to develop a foldable iPad alongside the iPhone Fold. However, according to DigiTimes, this project was shelved due to several challenges:

Complicated manufacturing processes for large-format foldable displays
High production costs compared to conventional iPads
Low demand for large folding devices among end customers

Apple is therefore currently concentrating fully on the foldable iPhone.

2026 in focus: When the iPhone Fold will be released

The iPhone Fold is coming—but not before 2026. Apple has commissioned the first prototypes and is in the middle of the testing process. There's still a long way to go before final market readiness, but the schedule is set. So if you're waiting for a foldable iPhone, it's worth keeping an eye on 2026. Big surprises aren't out of the question before then, but currently, everything points to a release alongside the iPhone 18 series in fall 2026. (Image: Shutterstock / Viktollio)