Apple's first foldable iPhone could reach customers months after the iPhone 18 lineup debuts, with assembly shipments in the second half of 2026 totaling roughly 7 million to 8 million units, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Third-quarter shipments are expected to be only 500,000 to 1 million units, far below the estimated 20 million to 22 million iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max units being assembled during the same period. Kuo believes Apple may unveil the foldable device alongside other iPhone 18 models but delay preorders and retail availability by weeks, similar to the iPhone X launch in 2017. Despite a projected price of about $2,300 to $2,500, demand is expected to remain strong, with immediate sellouts and delivery times quickly extending to four to six weeks or longer. Kuo added that resale prices could temporarily rise well above Apple's official pricing due to constrained supply, and true long-term demand may become clearer in late 2026 and early 2027 after production stabilizes.
Apple Inc.Analyst predicts strong demand and sellouts for Apple's first foldable iPhone despite high price and limited supply.