iPhone fold predicted to launch in late 2026 with no Face ID

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the expected iPhone Fold will lack Face ID, but come with a 7.8-inch crease free display, in late 2026 or early 2027.

Recent rumors claimed that an initial manufacturing run of a folding iPhone would begin in late 2025, with mass production coming ahead of a launch in the second half of 2026. Analyst Kuo now claims that the launch will not be until late 2026 or early 2027, although he has previously predicted launches starting in 2024.

Once more, Kuo omits mentioning whether his report is based on supply chain information or is entirely speculation. But he does offer specific details about the iPhone fold — and a second generation of it.

Kuo says that the initial iPhone fold will:

1. Cost between $2,000 and $2,500
2. Utilize a book-like design
3. Its outer screen will be 5.5 inches
4. Its folded-out inner screen is to be 7.8 inches
5. The folding screen will have no creases
6. Dual camera rear lenses
7. Opened screen has front camera
8. Folded thickness approximately 9mm to 9.5mm
9. Opened thickness approximately 4.5mm to 4.8mm

Face ID will be reportedly be dropped because of space constraints. Instead, the iPhone fold will have a fingerprint Touch ID sensor on the side.

These screen-size dimensions are similar to those claimed in the most recent other rumor. While that rumor came from a leaker with no track record, "Digital Chat Station" claimed the outer screen would be 5.49 inches, and the folded out inner screen would be 7.74 inches.

Earlier reports claimed that when opened out, the iPhone fold would have "a total size of over 12 inches."

Kuo's predicted schedule

Beyond the launch in either late 2026 or early 2027, Ming-Chi Kuo has offered a more detailed schedule for the development, as well as shipping estimates.

Kuo says that Apple will finalize its specifications before the end of 2Q25. He says that there will be an "official project kickoff in 3Q25," and mass production will start over a year later in 4Q26.

Apple is predicted to ship between three million and five million of the iPhone fold in 2026, with production volume constrained by the complexity of manufacturing the device. Kuo predicts that between the first and a second generation iPhone fold, Apple could sell 20 million in 2027.

Kuo does not back up these predictions. Even if he is basing this new report on supply chain information, it's unlikely that shipment figures could be accurate two years out.

His reference to the screen having no crease, however, is backed up by a recent rumor that says Apple has at least reduced how much the screen will crease after repeated use.