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Apple has set its sights on reshaping the future of personal tech with two bold innovations: a foldable iPhone and an 18.8-inch foldable MacBook-iPad hybrid. These devices signal Apple’s entry into the foldable device market, a space long dominated by rivals like Samsung and Huawei. The company has already moved beyond conceptual phases, placing both devices into early production planning, and fresh details from insiders and analysts reveal an ambitious technological leap.
Apple has been refining the foldable iPhone concept for several years, and now the plan looks more concrete than ever. The device will feature a book-style design, mimicking the Galaxy Z Fold series. When unfolded, the device reveals a 7.8-inch display, ideal for multitasking and media consumption. Folded, it offers a 5.5-inch front screen for regular smartphone use.
Apple chose a design that focuses on slimness and elegance. Engineers targeted a thickness of just 4.5mm when the device lies flat and around 9mm to 9.5mm when folded. This gives it a profile similar to current high-end smartphones, despite housing dual displays and a hinge mechanism. The device will also include a front-facing camera, dual rear cameras, and a Touch ID button embedded into the power button. Apple intends to ditch Face ID to reduce screen complexity and ensure durability across repeated folds.
To solve battery life challenges, Apple has designed a new chip that manages the display more efficiently. The chip uses a smaller node process, enabling lower power consumption without sacrificing performance. Apple focuses on maintaining all-day battery life, even with the larger display and increased processing demands.
Reports suggest Apple has prioritized screen durability. Engineers have focused on eliminating the infamous crease found in most foldables. Apple wants to create a seamless screen experience, enhancing both aesthetics and touch functionality. This design decision sets the stage for a better user experience compared to existing foldable phones on the market.
Apple will market the foldable iPhone as a premium product. Analyst estimates place the starting price between $2,299 and $2,500. This would make it the most expensive iPhone ever released. Apple appears to be targeting early adopters, tech enthusiasts, and professionals who demand cutting-edge hardware and design.
Instead of appealing to the average iPhone user, Apple plans to position this foldable as a luxury flagship product. The pricing reflects not just the cost of new technology but the exclusivity and prestige that comes with owning a next-generation Apple device.
Apple has moved the foldable iPhone into the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase. This means the company has finalized most design elements and begun preparing production lines. Foxconn, Apple’s long-time manufacturing partner, has taken on the responsibility for scaling up operations. Production should begin in the second half of 2026, with a full launch expected either late 2026 or early 2027.
The extended timeline gives Apple room to finalize testing, optimize hinge mechanics, and ensure display durability across tens of thousands of folds.
Alongside the foldable iPhone, Apple has also accelerated development of an even more ambitious product: an 18.8-inch MacBook-iPad hybrid. This device blends the flexibility of a foldable display with the productivity of macOS. Once released, it will likely bridge the gap between a MacBook and an iPad, allowing users to switch seamlessly between laptop and tablet modes.
Apple will not limit this device to a mobile operating system. Instead, it will run full macOS, turning it into a legitimate productivity machine. By doing so, Apple intends to future-proof its Mac lineup while tapping into a growing interest in foldable computing solutions.
When unfolded, the 18.8-inch display offers a canvas large enough for creative professionals, developers, and content consumers. Folded, it resembles a compact laptop, complete with on-screen controls or potentially a detachable keyboard accessory.
Apple has already entered the NPI phase for the 18.8-inch hybrid as well. Foxconn will handle production ramp-up, aiming for a mass production start date in the second half of 2026. Apple expects to unveil the product sometime in 2027, depending on hardware readiness and software optimization.
This hybrid device could launch as part of a broader move toward touchscreen Macs, something Apple previously resisted. Internal shifts now show a greater emphasis on blending iPadOS and macOS functionalities, and this foldable form factor supports that strategy.
Apple’s entrance into the foldable space marks a significant shift in the tech landscape. While Samsung and Huawei have already staked early claims, Apple intends to leapfrog competitors by addressing key weaknesses—most notably screen durability, creasing, and software fluidity.
By focusing on seamless displays and optimized operating systems, Apple looks to reframe consumer expectations. Both devices will aim to lead in their respective categories. The foldable iPhone targets users who want portability and functionality without compromise, while the MacBook-iPad hybrid introduces a new class of professional-grade, ultra-portable devices.
Foldables currently remain a niche market, but Apple’s entry could change that. The brand’s ability to influence market trends means these two devices might set a new standard and ignite mainstream interest in foldable technology.
Apple’s pursuit of foldables presents both opportunities and hurdles. Engineers must refine the hinge mechanisms, eliminate display creases, and deliver long-term reliability. Battery life must remain robust despite larger screens. Heat management and weight distribution also require precision engineering.
On the software side, Apple must ensure macOS and iOS adapt fluidly to changing display configurations. iOS may need interface adjustments to accommodate dual-mode use. Likewise, macOS might undergo a UI overhaul to remain intuitive on a touchscreen interface.
Apple has already proven its ability to integrate hardware and software better than most. These upcoming devices could showcase the next level of that synergy. If the company manages to solve durability and functionality issues, it could once again redefine consumer expectations—just as it did with the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook in their early days.
Apple’s foldable iPhone and 18.8-inch MacBook-iPad hybrid reflect a bold new direction. These products aim to marry cutting-edge display technology with Apple’s trademark design philosophy and software integration. By targeting elite segments first, Apple builds an ecosystem that gradually moves mainstream as components become cheaper and production scales.
While questions about pricing, durability, and adoption remain, Apple appears ready to tackle them head-on. These devices are not just rumors anymore—they are under development, with a clear production timeline in place. Their arrival will likely transform both the smartphone and laptop markets, once again setting a high bar for innovation in consumer technology.
