It seems that Apple is preparing to launch a foldable iPhone as early as 2026, which could represent the biggest design update for the company's most popular product. The plan by the Cupertino-based company to release a foldable iPhone mirrors a similar move by Samsung, which was a pioneer in the foldable device sector in 2019, aiming to attract new customers with a significant design overhaul.
The technology information site "The Information" reported on Tuesday, citing two insiders, that the foldable iPhone has surpassed the study phase within Apple. It added that Apple has reached out to suppliers in Asia to manufacture components for the device, noting that the company has assigned an internal code name for the product: "V.68".
It is anticipated that foldable smartphones, supported by artificial intelligence features, will stimulate demand for Apple products, which are facing fierce competition from Honor and Huawei in China, as well as Samsung globally. The global market for foldable smartphones grew by 49% in the first quarter compared to the previous year, marking the highest growth rate in a year and a half, according to a report from Counterpoint Research published in May, with Huawei taking the lead for the first time, surpassing Samsung.
