It's been rumored for the longest time now that Apple is working on a foldable iPhone. Previous reports have suggested that the company is planning to launch the device by 2027, but it appears that Apple might be expediting things.
A new report reiterates what's being said about the potential release, that Apple has decided to bring it up by about a year. The foldable iPhone is now anticipated to arrive by 2026.
Reports suggest that Apple's foldable iPhone might come in 2026
There's no confirmation as yet which form factor Apple is considering for the foldable iPhone, whether it's going to be a book-style foldable like the Galaxy Z Fold or clamshell like the Galaxy Z Flip.
Apple seems to have patents on both so the company does have options. Given its tradition of remaining tightlipped about new products, there hasn't been much said about the foldable iPhones from the company. It hasn't even acknowledged the existence, but there are enough reports to suggests that they may be in the works.
Whether or not Apple ends up releasing them is another matter. The company recently abandoned its car project after working on it for nearly a decade and spending billions of dollars. So the possibility exists that Apple might decide that foldables don't align with its vision of the vision, thereby giving up on the project entirely.
However, even if the foldable iPhones come by 2026, they'll be considerably behind Samsung's foldable phones, which would be in eighth iteration by then, and would certainly be tough competitors for Apple's very first foldable phones.