2026 iPhone Fold Release Date Leaks: Apple’s First Foldable May Launch With the A20 Pro Chip

According to the latest investor briefing from supply-chain analyst Jeff Pu, Apple is preparing to launch its first foldable iPhone — widely referred to as the “iPhone Fold” — in September 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

If these reports prove accurate, the iPhone Fold would represent Apple’s most dramatic iPhone redesign in nearly a decade, combining a new form factor with the company’s most advanced silicon to date: the A20 Pro chip.

iPhone Fold Release Date: Why September 2026 Is the Leading Window

Jeff Pu’s latest investment note suggests Apple plans to unveil the iPhone Fold in September 2026, positioning it alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max rather than launching it separately.

This timing would allow Apple to:

• Present the foldable as a true flagship, not an experimental side product

• Maximize global attention during its annual fall keynote

• Bundle the Fold with high-margin Pro models

Notably, the report also hints at a major shift in Apple’s release cadence: standard iPhone 18 models may be delayed until spring 2027, marking Apple’s first large-scale adoption of a staggered release strategy.

 

A20 Pro Chip: 2nm Silicon With Advanced WMCM Packaging

One of the most significant details in Jeff Pu’s report is that iPhone Fold will not compromise on performance.

Like the iPhone 18 Pro series, Apple’s first foldable is expected to run on the A20 Pro chip, manufactured using TSMC’s 2nm (N2) process.

Credit by:9to5Mac

What Makes A20 Pro Different

Beyond the process shrink, A20 Pro is rumored to adopt WMCM (Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module) packaging, a major architectural change.

WMCM allows Apple to:

• Integrate RAM directly onto the logic wafer

• Reduce latency and increase memory bandwidth

• Improve power efficiency for sustained AI workloads

• Save internal space — a critical advantage in foldable devices

This packaging approach is especially relevant for Apple Intelligence, enabling faster on-device AI processing while keeping thermals and battery usage under control.

 

Display Sizes and Foldable Design Details

Multiple recent leaks converge on a book-style foldable design, similar in layout to existing large-screen foldables but refined for Apple’s ecosystem.

Rumored Display Configuration

• Main inner display: 7.8-inch foldable OLED

• Cover display: 5.3-inch OLED for one-handed use

Apple is reportedly prioritizing crease minimization, hinge durability, and long-term reliability — areas where early foldables have historically struggled.

Thickness Targets: One of the Thinnest Foldables Yet

According to the same supply-chain analysis, Apple is aiming aggressively on physical dimensions:

• Folded thickness: ~9.0–9.5 mm

• Unfolded thickness: ~4.5 mm

If achieved, this would place the iPhone Fold among the thinnest foldable phones on the market, reinforcing Apple’s focus on premium engineering rather than rushing to market.

Memory and Performance: Built for AI-First iOS

Jeff Pu’s report also explicitly mentions 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM across the entire A20 Pro lineup, including iPhone Fold.

This increase is widely seen as a response to:

• Heavier on-device AI processing

• Advanced multitasking on larger foldable displays

• Future iOS features built around Apple Intelligence

For a foldable device, higher memory capacity is not optional — it’s essential.

Touch ID Instead of Face ID? A Practical Design Choice

Another widely discussed rumor involves biometric authentication.

Instead of Face ID, Apple may opt for Touch ID integrated into the side power button on iPhone Fold.

While internal space constraints play a role, there’s also a usability advantage:

• Touch ID offers consistent authentication in both folded and unfolded modes

• Face ID sensor alignment can be less reliable when device angles change

• A side-mounted fingerprint reader simplifies internal layout in ultra-thin designs

This would mirror Apple’s approach on recent iPads and suggest a pragmatic, experience-driven decision rather than a technical limitation.

iPhone Fold vs. iPhone 18 Pro: Leaked Spec Comparison

This table highlights Apple’s intent to keep performance parity between Fold and Pro models.

 

Apple’s Staggered iPhone Release Strategy Explained

If these leaks are accurate, 2026 would mark Apple’s first true experiment with a staggered iPhone release strategy:

Expected Timeline

• Fall 2026: iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Fold
  

• Spring 2027: Standard iPhone 18, Entry-level variants

This approach allows Apple to:

• Focus fall launches on high-margin devices

• Reduce launch-day complexity

• Position foldables as ultra-premium products from day one

It’s a meaningful strategic shift — and one investors are watching closely.

Final Thoughts

By launching its first foldable alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, powered by the same A20 Pro chip, Apple appears ready to redefine what a foldable smartphone can be within the iOS ecosystem.

More concrete leaks are expected as mass production approaches. Until then, the iPhone Fold remains one of the most consequential Apple products on the horizon.