Apple Begins Stocking Components for Foldable iPhone Ahead of 2026 Launch [Rumor]

Supply chain reports from Asia indicate that Apple has begun stocking up on components for its first foldable products, with a launch expected next year. The information, shared on Weibo by leaker Fixed Focus Digital, claims the new device series is "getting closer and closer" as Apple prepares for a 2026 release.

The timeline aligns with a wave of recent reports pointing to a foldable iPhone arriving in the second half of 2026. Mark Gurman has described the device as a "super thin' design achievement" that will be "ridiculously expensive," with a price expected to start at least around $2,000. Other leaks have suggested a book-style design featuring a roughly 7.8-inch internal display, a titanium frame, and a durable metallic glass hinge.

Internally, the device is said to be powered by a high-end "Borneo Ultra" version of the upcoming A20 chip. On the display side, Samsung's CEO has all but confirmed that his company is preparing to mass-produce panels for a "North American client," backing earlier claims that Samsung would supply a special crease-free display for the project. Authentication remains uncertain, with some sources pointing to under-display Face ID while others expect side-button Touch ID.


The foldable iPhone is expected to play a central role in Apple's planned three-year overhaul of the lineup. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that Apple is accelerating its hardware roadmap amid a broader push into artificial intelligence, with shipment forecasts for the foldable iPhone now as high as 10 million units in its first year.

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