Featured image: iPhone fold
Apple’s upcoming product roadmap is taking shape amid a flood of leaks, with the company’s first foldable iPhone reportedly among the major launches expected in 2026.
Apple’s upcoming product roadmap is taking shape amid a flood of leaks, with the company’s first foldable iPhone reportedly among the major launches expected in 2026.
With the highly anticipated WWDC just around the corner, Apple enthusiasts are facing a deluge of leaks and tips from supply chain sources, offering glimpses into the company’s upcoming plans. But what’s true, what’s not, what’s coming in 2026, and what has been pushed to 2027? Recent insights from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman could offer some clarity on what’s next.
In his latest edition of the Power On newsletter, Gurman reveals that the foldable iPhone could be launched at an event around September 9. He further adds that people who have used the upcoming foldable prototype say Apple’s new device is poised to build on the design elements introduced by Samsung.
“People who have tried the Apple model like how it fits in a pocket, the feel and durability of the advanced hinge mechanism, and the new iPad-like app layouts that take advantage of the larger internal display. It’s going to be an ultra-premium device that provides a halo for the full Apple lineup and will be a marketing engine to get people into the company’s retail stores.”
Further insights from the pool of users who have used the device reveal that the foldable iPhone excels as a camera viewfinder, as well as a productivity tool and a device for playing video games. The phone is expected to cost more than $2,000, setting a premium price that will raise expectations significantly.
But these heightened expectations might lead to a tepid response, as Gurman highlights that buyers expecting the best camera experience could be disappointed. Foldables may not be able to offer advanced camera hardware for a few years.
No Face ID
Another bombshell from the report is that the new foldable could rely on Touch ID to authenticate users rather than Face ID. This could be seen as a major step backward, especially as even budget phones have now adopted face-based unlocking.
While users have been slightly slow to adopt the foldable phone form factor, China tells a very different story. The country accounted for more than half of worldwide foldable shipments last year, the report notes.
Apple would have to go tête-à-tête with Huawei, which has pursued aggressive designs and pricing, along with new eye-catching hardware features.
Apple Prepares for iPhone Price Hike
Amid heightened pressure from memory and silicon shortages, Apple has increased prices across every major product category outside the iPhone lineup. The MacBook Air, Mac Studio and iPad Air have all received significant price hikes. Since the same shortages continue to plague the Cupertino-based giant, a price increase across the iPhone lineup now appears increasingly likely.
Gurman adds that Apple has no reason to push prices too far beyond their current levels, as even a $100 increase would keep the iPhone broadly within Samsung’s pricing range. Apple could go higher, but doing so could risk alienating its loyal fanbase.
Image Credit: X/@appltrack
(Firstpost)