(Image source from: in.mashable.com)

Apple is reportedly developing its inaugural foldable device. Although there has been no official announcement from Apple regarding a foldable iPhone, a recent report provides insights into its potential pricing. The anticipated cost of the foldable iPhone is said to be approximately twice that of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. It is expected that Apple will release a limited number of these foldable smartphones, with a launch projected for late next year, featuring a book-like folding design. According to MacRumors, Barclays analyst Tim Long indicated in an investor note that the starting price of Apple’s first foldable phone might be around $2,300, which is equivalent to roughly Rs. 1,99,000 in the United States. If validated, this would make the device nearly double the price of Apple's current highest-end iPhone. The iPhone 16 Pro Max begins at $1,199 (approximately Rs. 1,00,700) for the basic 256GB storage model, with prices reaching as high as $1,599 (about Rs. 1,39,200) for the 1TB version. By comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 has an initial pricing of $1,899 (about Rs. 1,64,300), while the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts at $1,799 (around Rs. 1,55,000).

Long reportedly made this pricing estimate after traveling to Asia where his team conversed with hardware producers. He stated that there is growing chatter in the supply chain regarding a foldable iPhone set to release between late 2026 and early 2027. Long anticipates that Apple will offer a limited quantity of its foldable device due to the higher price point. Previous sources suggested that the foldable iPhone's price could range from $2,000 (around Rs. 1,74,100) to $2,500 (approximately Rs. 2,17,700). It is rumored to incorporate a 7.8-inch internal display along with a 5.5-inch external display, featuring a nearly crease-free surface. This foldable model may forgo the Face ID feature in favor of a side-mounted Touch ID sensor. When folded, the book-style foldable iPhone is expected to have a thickness of 9.2mm, while unfolding it would reduce that to 4.6mm. It is reportedly designed with an aluminum alloy middle frame and likely to feature a dual rear camera system along with a battery capacity of about 5,000mAh.