Apple’s highly anticipated first foldable iPhone could face a delay from 2026 until 2027 because Apple needs more time to finalize design elements like the hinge mechanism, according to a new report. And it also offers some new details on screen size and other specs.
New rumor details foldable iPhone’s screen size — and possible delay
Japanese investment firm Mizuho Securities said Apple may need more time to finalize the foldable iPhone’s critical design elements — particularly the device’s hinge mechanism — TheElec reported. While a 2026 launch remains possible, production challenges could push the release back by a year as Apple works to perfect the hardware specifications.
Expected screen sizes and specifications
The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.58-inch internal display and a 5.38-inch external screen. These dimensions are slightly smaller than earlier reports had suggested. Previous expectations pointed to 7.8-inch and 5.5-inch displays.
When folded, the device would essentially match the size of Apple’s discontinued iPhone mini, which had a 5.4-inch screen. The inner display would become the largest iPhone screen ever produced.
Key technical specifications are expected to include Color Filter on Encap (CoE) technology that eliminates polarizing plates, a hole-punch display similar to current iPhone models, and low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) thin-film transistor technology. Samsung Display will supply all panels for the device.
Production concerns and pricing
Mizuho Securities reported that expected panel production has decreased from 13 million units down to nine million units. Even if Apple launches the foldable iPhone in 2026 as planned, first-year production is projected at just five to seven million units — well below initial panel production estimates.
This conservative production forecast reflects Apple’s cautious approach to pricing, with the device expected to cost over $2,000. For comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 launched at approximately $2,380.
Impact on overall iPhone strategy
The foldable iPhone will probably launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and Air models in fall 2026. That’s if the expected timeline holds. However, Apple plans to delay the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e to spring 2027.
This staggered release strategy could reduce Apple’s total iPhone shipments to 229 million units in 2026, down 7% from the anticipated 246 million units in 2025. Production could rebound to a record 252 million units in 2027, coinciding with the iPhone’s 20th anniversary.
