Foldable iPhone in 2026? JPMorgan Just Doubled Down and It’s Cheaper Than Expected

Foldable iPhone in 2026? JPMorgan Just Doubled Down and It’s Cheaper Than Expected

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Written By Eric Sandler

While the iPhone 17 is just weeks away from launch, the real excitement may lie in what’s coming after it. According to a new report, Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone, possibly called the iPhone Fold, is now expected to debut in September 2026, and it might arrive with a surprisingly “low” price tag: $1,999.

A Bold Prediction From JPMorgan

In a fresh investor note (via CNBC), JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee says Apple is gearing up to join the foldable phone race in just over a year, and this one could be a game-changer.

The report lines up with recent leaks and insider chatter. Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover screen, using a book-style fold similar to the Galaxy Z Fold series.

But here’s where it gets more interesting. Unlike current foldables, Apple may have figured out how to eliminate the center crease completely, one of the biggest drawbacks in foldables from Samsung, Google, and others. If that’s true, this could be the sleekest foldable yet.

“Investor focus has already turned to the 2026 fall launches with Apple expected to launch its first foldable iPhone… featuring a book-style fold similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series.”
— Samik Chatterjee, JPMorgan

$1,999 Price Tag Is Lower Than Expected

Previous predictions had Apple’s foldable priced anywhere from $2,100 to $2,300. But JPMorgan’s new estimate of $1,999 puts it in a far more competitive range. Still premium, but not out of reach for Apple’s high-end buyers.

Chatterjee believes this could drive serious growth, estimating the iPhone Fold could bring in $65 billion in revenue and boost Apple’s earnings by a high single-digit percentage in the medium term.

Shipment Forecast: Big Numbers Incoming

Don’t expect the iPhone Fold to be a niche product. JPMorgan expects Apple to ship:

  • Low teens (millions) of units in fiscal 2027
  • Rising to mid-40 million units by fiscal 2029

That kind of volume would put Apple near the top of the foldables market within just a few years and possibly force competitors to step up their game.

A Ripple Effect Across the Industry

A foldable iPhone doesn’t just change things for Apple. It could lift the entire supply chain.

JPMorgan notes that Amphenol (a connector supplier) and Corning (maker of Apple’s glass materials) are poised to benefit the most. Both companies are already seeing big gains in 2025, with Amphenol stock up over 50 percent year to date and Corning up more than 30 percent.

Apple, however, has been lagging behind the S&P 500 so far this year, with its stock down more than 10 percent. That could change quickly if the iPhone Fold gains traction.

Closing

If Apple nails the design, pricing, and usability of its foldable iPhone, this could mark the biggest hardware shift since the iPhone X. With competition heating up from Samsung, Google, and even Huawei, all eyes are on Cupertino’s next big move.

The iPhone Fold might not be this year’s headline, but in 2026, it could be the biggest story in tech.

Eric Sandler

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