Apple's first iPhone Fold may debut in 2026 at $2,399

Apple is preparing to step into the world of foldable smartphones: the first iPhone Fold is expected to arrive in 2026. The debut, however, may be anything but simple. A heavyweight rival is already lining up for the same year — Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 — and the new iPhone appears to have a core vulnerability from the outset.

Analysts at Fubon Research say the foldable iPhone could carry a price tag around $2,399, a figure they derive from supply chain dynamics and Apple’s traditionally high margins. For context, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 launched at $1,999, and there’s currently no reason to expect the Fold 8 to be pricier. That would put the iPhone Fold roughly 20% above Samsung’s foldable flagship. The open question is whether buyers are willing to pay that much for a first-generation device. Apple’s loyal fans will likely be there — many have waited years for a foldable iPhone and will move over regardless of cost — and brand gravity alone will do part of the work.

Winning over new users, especially those considering a switch from Android, looks far tougher. For Samsung owners, the choice seems straightforward: the Fold 8 stands to be the safer, more affordable, and more mature option. And anyone eyeing their first foldable may find Apple’s price hard to justify. In a market that still needs convincing, value often speaks louder than novelty.

If these forecasts hold, the iPhone Fold won’t be competing solely on engineering. It will be fighting on price as well — and that could be its toughest test at launch.