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The iPhone Fold is currently among the most anticipated devices of the year. It is believed that the company will unveil it in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models. But those who want to buy the new device immediately after its announcement may have to wait until the end of the year to get Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
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Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo published the results of his new industry research on his Twitter page. According to his data, the iPhone Fold will be available in limited quantities after its launch – Apple plans to ship approximately 8 million of these smartphones in the second half of the year.
He also noted that about 1 million iPhone Folds will hit the market in Q3. Meanwhile, up to 22 million iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models will be available to customers during the same period.
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It appears that Apple intends to repeat the iPhone X launch scenario: the device will be unveiled in September, but pre-orders and the official sales launch will begin later. According to the analyst, the foldable iPhone may become available for pre-order and officially go on sale only in Q4 2026, and the delivery wait time could range from four to six weeks or even longer.
The analyst believes that the limited supply of the iPhone Fold after its launch will be due to its technical features, which complicate production. Previous reports indicated that Apple’s first foldable iPhone might feature a display without a visible crease, while more recent leaks suggest issues related to the hinge design.
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Ming-Chi Kuo believes that even with a price ranging from $2,300 to $2,500, the iPhone Fold will sell out immediately after its launch. At the same time, in his opinion, the actual demand for Apple’s first foldable smartphone can only be objectively assessed by the end of 2026 or even in the first quarter of 2027, when manufacturing difficulties and supply chain constraints ease, and the initial hype surrounding the device will have subsided.
Apple recently raised prices on its iPad and Mac models, although the iPhone has not been affected yet. At the same time, CEO Tim Cook has already stated that price increases are inevitable, so the iPhones scheduled to be unveiled this September – including the foldable iPhone – may also become more expensive.
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