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Report: iPhone sales at risk, but Apple’s first foldable in 2026 will change that

Apple has been rumored to be working on new foldable devices, which will be a first for the Cupertino-based company. A new report by analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities not only corroborates the launch of Apple’s first foldable in 2026, but suggests that it will help the company recover from lower iPhone sales in 2025.

Latest rumors on Apple’s first foldable device

In a note to investors seen by 9to5Mac, Pu claims that the delay of the new Siri experience until 2026 has lowered market expectations for this year when it comes to iPhone sales. That’s because some customers may no longer see a reason to upgrade their phones this year after Apple promoted the iPhone 16 as the first iPhones really built for Apple Intelligence, but ended up not delivering the features on time.

But what could save the company from weak demand for iPhones? According to the analyst, Apple’s first foldable device will play an important role in this. Corroborating reports from other analysts such as Ming-Chi Kuo, Pu says that the market will “recover in 2026” regardless of Apple Intelligence’s capabilities, mainly driven by Apple’s two foldable devices.

The analyst says that at least one of Apple’s new foldables is targeted to enter mass production in the second half of 2026, as Apple has already been working with suppliers on the design and development of the new products (a process known as NPI). According to Pu, the foldable “remains on track” to enter the “P1” stage next month. For those unfamiliar, this is an early stage of prototyping at Apple.

Top comment by Robin Anderson

Liked by 2 people

Am I excited to see Apple’s first foldable devices?

Not in the slightest. a) Not at that price and b) if I were to buy a foldable phone, it would be a flip rather than a fold.

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Earlier this month, Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the first foldable iPhone coming in 2026 might cost more than $2,000. The device will be sold as an even more premium version of the iPhone, with a 7.8-inch main screen and a 5.5-inch external display. The device will look like an iPad mini when unfolded.

Apple is also working on a foldable device with an 18-inch screen, which could end up becoming a new Mac or iPad. The company aims to create foldable devices with an invisible crease.

Are you excited to see Apple’s first foldable devices? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Avatar for Filipe Espósito Filipe Espósito

Filipe Espósito is a Brazilian tech Journalist who started covering Apple news on iHelp BR with some exclusive scoops — including the reveal of the new Apple Watch Series 5 models in titanium and ceramic. He joined 9to5Mac to share even more tech news around the world.