APPLE

Apple already decrees the likely fiasco of the foldable iPhone with a starting price of US$1,999

The Apple is preparing to launch its first foldable  smartphone for September 2026, marking the company’s entry into the segment dominated by rivals such as the Samsung and Google. The device, known internally as the iPhone Fold, is expected to be announced alongside the iPhone 18 line, including models Pro

Market analysts point out that the product emerges after years of speculation and internal testing, with a focus on durability and integration into the iOS ecosystem. Mass production is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, ensuring global availability shortly after the announcement.

Supply chain reports indicate that the iPhone Fold adopts a book-style design, opening horizontally to reveal a large internal screen, while maintaining compact functionality when closed. Essa approach aims to serve users who seek versatility without compromising the premium experience characteristic of the brand.

The iPhone Essa configuration adopts an aspect ratio close to 4:3, similar to the iPad mini, which makes it easy to adapt existing applications.

When closed, the device measures around 9.6 mm thick, with a 5.5-inch external screen for quick operations such as checking notifications or answering calls. The narrow 1.3mm bezel contributes to a high screen utilization rate, making the device more immersive compared to competitors.

The arrival of the first foldable iPhone is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated moments of the last decade in the world of technology. For years, we have heard rumors, seen patents, and speculated about how Apple would approach this format. However, there was one constant in all the conversations: the price would be astronomical. After all, we are talking about the brand that launched luxury headphones and a monitor stand for a thousand euros. But, against all expectations, the latest information points to a completely different scenario.

According to leaks circulating in the sector, the foldable iPhone could arrive in stores with a starting price of US$1,999. If this value seems familiar, it is because it is exactly the same launch price as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. This parity is, at the very least, strange for a company that usually charges a "prestige fee" on all its first-generation products.

The idea that Apple will launch its most innovative device ever at the same price as its biggest rival is almost hard to believe. Traditionally, the brand positions itself in a premium segment, often above the competition. However, it seems that Apple has learned valuable lessons from the launch of the Vision Pro. The mixed reality headset, despite being technologically impressive, faced difficulties in mass adoption due to its prohibitive price of $3,499.

By pricing the foldable iPhone at $1,999, Apple isn't just launching a product; it's declaring war on Samsung. If you had to choose between the South Korean brand's seventh-generation foldable or Apple's first and highly desired foldable for the same price, which would you choose? The answer seems obvious to most consumers, and that's exactly what Tim Cook is betting on.

The end of Apple's foldable pricing? Looking at the detailed pricing structure, the base model of the foldable iPhone should offer 256GB of storage. If you need more space, the capacity jumps should follow the brand's usual logic, with increments of $200. This means that the 512 GB version would cost around $2,199 and the 1 TB model would rise to $2,399.

Interestingly, these calculations put the iPhone in an extremely competitive position. To give you an idea, the 1 TB version of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is slightly more expensive, hovering around $2,419. It's an almost unprecedented scenario: an Apple product that, specification for specification, could end up being cheaper or equivalent to Samsung's top-of-the-line model.

Another point that reinforces the veracity of this price is the internal comparison with the rest of the brand's smartphone line. Currently, the iPhone 17 Pro Max in its maximum 2 TB configuration already reaches the level of $1,999. By setting the foldable at this price, Apple creates a natural transition for users who are already accustomed to paying high prices for the "Pro Max" models, but who can now opt for a completely new format without spending more.

This decision may be a direct response to the success of the Galaxy Z TriFold, which sold out in minutes despite costing almost $3,000. Apple realized that there is a real demand for innovation in the physical format of devices and that users are willing to loosen their purse strings, as long as the product brings something new to the user experience.

You may be wondering how Apple manages to maintain this price without sacrificing the profit margin to which we are accustomed. The explanation may lie in the production chain and the strategic postponement of the launch. By waiting several years to enter this market, Apple benefits from components that are now cheaper to produce than they were three or four years ago. The flexible screen and complex hinges are no longer experimental technologies, but components with optimized manufacturing processes.

Still, you should view these prices with caution. Until the official announcement, everything can change. But one thing is certain: if the foldable iPhone really reaches that price, the smartphone market will never be the same again, and the competition will have to reinvent itself quickly to avoid losing its place in this new world of flexible screens.

by mundophone