Apple's Foldable iPhone Still Set for September Despite Delay Fears

Apple intends to announce its first foldable iPhone in the first half of September, keeping the high-end device on schedule despite recent speculation regarding manufacturing headwinds. While industry signals earlier this month suggested that engineering snags might push the release into 2027, Mark Gurman indicates the company has not hit a crisis point. Instead of a multi-month delay, the plan involves unveiling the folding device alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max this fall. Availability is expected to begin around the same time as the new Pro models or shortly thereafter.



The upcoming foldable is being positioned as a hyper-premium halo product, giving users a tablet-hybrid option at the top of the lineup. Recent leaks of dummy units have already provided a look at the physical direction, including a notably slim chassis and a horizontal camera bar that looks quite different from the current Pro models. To maintain its usual standards for fit and finish, Apple is reportedly using a dual-layer glass structure, aimed at reducing the visible crease seen on earlier folding devices.


The September event is also expected to include a second generation of the ultra-thin iPhone Air. Even though the first model reportedly struggled to find a large audience, Apple has historically given new iPhone form factors more than one attempt before deciding their long-term future. This approach was seen with both the iPhone mini and iPhone Plus, each receiving multiple generations despite mixed demand. The Air 2 is also viewed as part of a broader transition toward more ambitious designs planned for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027.

The high-end hardware this year is expected to bring another jump in performance. Both the Pro models and the new foldable are slated to feature the A20 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM, aligning with Apple's push toward more advanced on-device intelligence features.