News about foldable iPhones has been popping up every now and then, but there haven’t been many detailed reports about Apple launching one soon.

A recent report adds to this trend — those expecting a foldable iPhone from Apple may need to lower their expectations. According to a new report from DigiTimes, Apple has significantly pushed back its plans to enter the foldable smartphone market.

Based on information from South Korean sources, the report indicates that Apple has delayed the release of its first foldable iPhone from the fourth quarter of 2026 to the first quarter of 2027.

This delay means that the earliest we might see a foldable iPhone is around the same time as the potential release of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 9.

foldable iPhone

Samsung introduced its first foldable device back in 2019 and has matured the technology to the point where foldables can be used as daily devices.

Meanwhile, Apple has continuously delayed its launch plans, expressing concerns that the technology isn’t yet mature enough to meet its high standards. Lo and behold, this gives Samsung a bigger headroom to dominate in the foldable space.

Interestingly, Apple hasn’t changed its plans for component supply. Display providers like Samsung Display and LG Display are still set to deliver flexible displays for the foldable iPhone.

Moreover, it’s said that Apple has reassigned some of its personnel from the Vision Pro AR/VR headset project to work on the foldable iPhone.

Reports indicate that Apple is considering two possible designs for its foldable iPhone. One resembles a book, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold, with a 6-inch external screen and an 8-inch internal display. The other design is a clamshell-style foldable, akin to the Galaxy Z Flip series.

As for when or if Apple will actually launch its foldable device, that remains uncertain for now. However, it’s clear that the Cupertino-based company is actively working on the technology, which gives hope for its eventual release.

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