Experts say foldable iPhone could be Apple’s 2026 standout device

A foldable iPhone is expected to be the centerpiece of Apple’s 2026 product lineup, according to a report that cites unnamed industry experts. The article describes the device as a long-awaited entry into folding-screen smartphones and says it could be the standout product for Apple in the next few years.

Design details circulating in the piece suggest a flexible display paired with an advanced hinge and a software experience that keeps iPhone usability intact while opening to a larger canvas. The report notes that visuals and timing are still unsettled and that Apple has not confirmed any plan to release a foldable model.

Apple’s track record shows a pattern of gradual shifts rather than abrupt leaps. The company began in 1976 with the Apple I and Apple II, expanded through the 1980s with the Macintosh, and later transformed mobile computing with the iPhone in 2007 and the iPad in 2010. Subsequent years brought wearables such as the Apple Watch and smart speakers, while the company pressed forward with sustainability goals and a growing emphasis on artificial intelligence, including the introduction of Apple Intelligence in 2024 and related features rolling out in the following year.

Industry observers say a foldable iPhone could help Apple refresh its hardware cadence and unlock new use cases, from more portable productivity to enhanced media experiences on a larger screen. Any such device would need to harmonize with iOS, iPadOS, and the broader Apple ecosystem, and observers expect on-device AI capabilities to be a key part of the package. However, there is no official confirmation from Apple, and a 2026 release would align with multi-year product cycles that have characterized its strategy for decades.

From a technology and AI perspective, a foldable iPhone would intersect with Apple’s ongoing push to integrate intelligence across devices. The foldable form could enable new multitasking patterns and context-aware assistance, complementing the company's investments in AI features that began with Apple Intelligence in 2024 and have continued into subsequent updates.