JAKARTA — Apple is expected to soon introduce its first foldable iPhone. The long-awaited device is projected to be announced alongside the latest iPhone lineup in the second half of 2026, although it will not be widely available in the market right away.
The forecast was shared by prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, based on the results of his latest industry survey. According to Kuo, the new foldable iPhone may only be available for pre-order and sale some time after its official launch because initial production remains limited.
Kuo estimates shipments of the foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026 will reach only around 7 million to 8 million units. That figure is relatively small for an Apple product, which usually sells strongly worldwide as soon as it launches.
Specifically in the third quarter of 2026, shipment volumes are expected to range from just 500,000 to 1 million units, or about 10 percent of total production in the second half of 2026. This supply constraint is expected to make the early units highly sought after.
By comparison, shipments of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in the same period are expected to reach around 20 million to 22 million units. That number is far higher and is considered sufficient to meet launch stock demand.
Given those conditions, Kuo believes Apple may repeat the strategy it used when releasing the iPhone X in 2017. The company may still introduce the foldable iPhone together with other iPhone models, but delay the pre-order and official sales schedule.
Similar to the iPhone X Strategy
According to Kuo, the current situation for the foldable iPhone is very similar to the iPhone X. At the time, the iPhone X was the first iPhone to feature a full OLED display, introduce the notch design, and bring Face ID and the TrueDepth camera system.
However, the complex production process for the iPhone X meant the number of units available at launch was very limited. Apple chose to unveil the product early to maintain momentum, even though full sales only began later.
The arrival of the foldable iPhone marks a major step for Apple into the foldable phone segment, which has long been dominated by Android manufacturers such as Samsung and several Chinese brands. Many observers believe Apple’s entry will reshape competition in the category.
For consumers in Indonesia, Apple’s premium devices are generally officially released some time after their global launch. With early production limited, it is possible that the foldable iPhone will only become available in the Indonesian market over a longer period.
Even so, enthusiasm for the foldable iPhone is expected to remain high. The combination of Apple’s strong brand and an innovative foldable design makes the device one of the most anticipated products this year.
The public is now waiting for Apple’s official announcement to confirm the specifications, price, and availability schedule of its first foldable iPhone, which is being positioned as a new milestone in the history of the Cupertino-based company’s devices.
📝 Leave a Comment
Comment as . Reviewed by an admin before it appears.