Apple is reportedly preparing a premium foldable iPhone for 2026, followed by a larger foldable iPad that could challenge tablet and laptop categories, signalling a significant shift in its hardware strategy.
Apple is preparing to enter the foldable market in two distinct stages, according to reports from the supply chain and technology outlets. The first device is expected to be a foldable iPhone arriving in 2026, with the broader iPhone 18 range reorganised around that launch rather than the usual September mix of standard and Pro models. Tom’s Guide has reported that the handset may be positioned as a premium device alongside the iPhone 18 Pro line, while MacRumors says Apple has asked suppliers to prepare for about 10 million units next year, up from earlier estimates of 7 million to 8 million.
The foldable iPhone is said to be designed to avoid the compromises that have held back some rival models. Tom’s Guide reports that Apple is targeting a crease-free inner display, a smaller cover screen, titanium and aluminium construction and a price of roughly $2,400 to $2,500. TechSpot says Apple expects the device to take a large share of the foldable display market in 2026, suggesting the company is aiming for a high-end product rather than a volume play. That would fit Apple’s wider approach of waiting until it believes the hardware is mature enough to meet its standards.
The larger ambition, however, appears to be a foldable iPad. Several reports now point to a much bigger device, with screens ranging from about 18.8 inches to 20 inches, that could arrive in 2028 or later. Tom’s Guide says the current expectation is for a 2028 launch, while MacRumors has reported that development difficulties may push it to 2029. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has described the project as one that could blur the line between the iPad and MacBook, although practical issues such as weight and display technology remain unresolved.
Taken together, the roadmap suggests Apple is not simply entering foldables with a single phone. It appears to be building a two-step strategy: first a pocketable device that behaves like a standard iPhone when closed and a larger-screen product when opened, then a much more ambitious tablet-sized model that could create a new category altogether. For Apple, the timing matters as much as the design. The company has a long history of arriving late to new product classes, but using scale, polish and ecosystem integration to reshape them once it does.
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