The tech world has been holding its breath for an Apple foldable iPhone for years, but a new, detailed financial report suggests the wait will be longer than many had hoped. According to a recent analysis from Japan’s Mizuho Securities, Apple's highly anticipated "iPhone Fold" may not see the light of day until 2027, pushing it beyond the expected iPhone 18 generation.
The report, which was later cited by the Korean technology outlet The Elec, paints a picture of a company meticulously refining its first foray into the foldable market, unwilling to compromise on key components like the hinge and display.
Why the Delay? Hinge and Display Hurdles Take Center Stage
So, what’s causing the holdup? Mizuho's research note indicates that Apple’s engineers are still grappling with the final design of two critical elements: the hinge mechanism and the overall display architecture. These are not trivial details; they are the very heart of a foldable device, dictating its durability, feel, and user experience.
The complexity is such that Mizuho believes it will be "difficult" for Apple to begin mass production in the third quarter of 2026, effectively ruling out a launch alongside the traditional iPhone 18 lineup in September of that year. This delay underscores Apple's infamous "it's ready when it's ready" philosophy, especially when entering a new product category where it aims to set a new standard, not just match the competition.
Reflecting this cautious approach, Mizuho has also revised its panel production forecast downwards multiple times. Initial expectations of 13 million units were cut to 11 million, and have now been trimmed further to just 9 million. The report even suggests that if Apple does manage to start production in 2026, initial shipments could be severely constrained, limited to just 5–7 million units as supply chains ramp up.
iPhone Fold Specs Leak: Samsung Screens and Power-Efficient Tech
While the "when" may be shifting, the "what" is becoming clearer. According to the same Mizuho report, the Apple iPhone Fold is expected to feature a 7.58-inch main internal display, paired with a 5.38-inch external cover screen. For context, this would make the internal screen slightly larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 7's display.
All these panels are slated to be supplied by Samsung Display, the current leader in the flexible OLED market and the supplier for Samsung's own foldables.
The report also details several advanced technologies destined for the device:
- CoE (Colour filter on Encapsulation): This technology integrates the colour filter directly onto the display encapsulation, removing the need for a separate polariser layer. This makes the panel thinner, lighter, and more power-efficient.
- LTPO TFT Backplane: The use of Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide thin-film transistors is a staple in Apple's Pro iPhones and Apple Watches for their power efficiency, allowing for a dynamically adaptive refresh rate that can go as low as 1Hz to save battery.
- Hole-Punch Design: The internal display will apparently forgo an under-display camera in favour of a more conventional hole-punch cutout for the front-facing camera.
In a related development, renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously reported that the cost of the iPhone Fold's hinge—a complex and expensive component—has been driven down to around $70–80 per unit. This 20–35% reduction from earlier estimates is attributed to design optimizations and the manufacturing prowess of Apple's primary assembly partner, Foxconn.
A Shifting iPhone Calendar: Meet the Spring 2027 iPhone 18e
Perhaps one of the most intriguing revelations from the Mizuho report is a potential shake-up of Apple’s annual release schedule. The firm predicts that starting in 2026, Apple could split its iPhone releases across two seasons: autumn and spring.
The premium lineup, including the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, Air, and the delayed Fold, would debut in their traditional September slot. However, the base iPhone 18 and a new, budget-conscious model tentatively named the iPhone 18e would then follow in the spring of 2027.
This strategy would allow Apple to spread out its marketing efforts, maintain consumer interest throughout the year, and potentially target different market segments with more focused releases. As one source speculated on the tech blog GSMGoTech, a spring launch for more affordable models could be a powerful tool for capturing price-sensitive consumers outside of the hectic autumn flagship season.
Mizuho projects total iPhone shipments to dip to 229 million units in 2026 (down from an estimated 246 million in 2025) before rebounding strongly to a record 252 million units in 2027, potentially surpassing the company's previous production highs.
Looking Beyond the Phone: The Foldable MacBook on the Distant Horizon
For those dreaming of a large-screen foldable Apple device, the wait will be even longer. The same report states that Apple's rumoured foldable MacBook, featuring an 18.9-inch flexible panel, is "unlikely to launch before 2028–2029."
The reasoning is strategic: Apple plans to gauge consumer and market reaction to its foldable iPhone first. The success—or failure—of the iPhone Fold will provide invaluable data and user feedback that will directly inform the design and functionality of a foldable MacBook.
As Mizuho's analysis concludes, Apple is already deep in development on new technologies for the iPhone 19 series, expected to coincide with the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027. By that time, the foldable market will be more mature, and if Apple's timeline holds, the iPhone Fold will finally be ready to take its place in the lineup.
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