Apple is largely anticipated to reveal its inaugural iPhone featuring a foldable display this year. Nevertheless, the speculated iPhone Fold might actually debut months subsequent to the iPhone 18 Pro.
### iPhone Fold in December 2026
Barclays analyst Tim Long mentions that the launch of the iPhone Fold could occur in December 2026. Traditionally, Apple has unveiled and launched new iPhones in September since the iPhone 5 in 2012, barring 2020. It wouldn’t be unexpected to witness Apple debut its highest-priced iPhone model a few months after the standard flagship iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max variants.
Apple has historically released groundbreaking new models one to two months after announcing the complete lineup. For example, the iPhone X was launched in November 2017, while the iPhone XR and iPhone 14 Plus made their debuts in October of their respective years. Should this pattern persist, we can anticipate Apple to announce the iPhone Fold alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026.
Recent information suggests that the design of the iPhone Fold is approaching a significant production milestone, indicating that the device is still projected for release this year, albeit a few months after the standard flagship models. The design seems to be finalized, as CAD files have emerged, consistent with earlier precise design leaks.
### iPhone Air 2 in March 2027
Alongside the iPhone Fold, Long predicts Apple will launch either an iPhone 18 Plus or iPhone Air 2 with the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in March 2027. The iPhone Air effectively took the place of the iPhone 16 Plus in the lineup last fall, and Apple is expected to introduce the first successor to the iPhone Air no earlier than next spring.
The iPhone Fold is anticipated to facilitate running two iPhone apps simultaneously when the display is unfolded, introducing enhanced multitasking features for users.