Apple (AAPL, Financials) the iPhone maker and consumer technology giant, may launch its first foldable iPhone with limited early supply, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Kuo expects Apple to announce the foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 lineup at its September event. However, preorders and sales could start later if production is not ready for a wider launch.
The analyst estimates Apple will ship 7 million to 8 million foldable iPhones in the second half of 2026. Third-quarter shipments could be just 500,000 to 1 million units, well below the expected 20 million to 22 million units for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
The issue appears to be manufacturing, not demand. Like the iPhone X in 2017, the foldable iPhone is expected to bring a new design and user experience, but that could make early production more difficult.
Kuo expects the device to cost between $2,300 and $2,500. If supply stays tight, resale prices could rise well above Apple's official price.
For investors, the launch could create excitement, but the bigger test is whether Apple can ramp up production quickly and turn the foldable iPhone into a meaningful growth driver.