Understanding Tech

iPhone Fold: Price, Specs, Release Date & UK Pricing Guide 2025

By Richard / December 2025. I take things apart to understand them. That’s how I work. So when the iPhone Fold rumours started heating up—reports from supply-chain analysts, leaks from industry insiders, endless speculation on YouTube—I did what I always do: I pulled the information apart, separated fact from fiction, and built the complete picture. Here’s everything we actually know, what’s realistic, and what you should do if you’re thinking about waiting.

Why the iPhone Fold Matters (And Why It Took So Long)

For years, Apple said foldable phones were a solution looking for a problem. The company argued that if you wanted a bigger screen, you bought an iPad. If you wanted portability, you carried an iPhone. That distinction made sense.

But the iPhone Fold changes the equation. It’s a device that collapses to pocket size and expands to tablet size in one motion. That’s genuinely useful—if Apple can pull it off without compromising on durability or design.

Here’s the thing: Apple has delayed the iPhone Fold multiple times. Originally expected in 2024, then 2025, now 2026. Why? Because the company’s engineering teams kept rejecting prototypes. The crease—that visible line down the middle of foldable phone screens—didn’t disappear fast enough. Apple’s perfectionism wouldn’t allow a product with a crease “good enough” for early adopters. So the company went back to the drawing board.

That’s either brilliant or foolish, depending on how the final product turns out.

Design & Display: What You’ll Actually Hold

Outer Display: Familiar iPhone Experience

When folded, the iPhone Fold will feel like a regular iPhone—approximately 5.5 inches, making it slightly smaller than today’s iPhone Pro models. The outer screen uses standard OLED with a notch or Dynamic Island for the front camera. Thickness when folded: around 6.1mm, which is impressively thin for a device that folds in half.

This is intentional. Apple wants the folded experience to feel natural and familiar to every iPhone user. You don’t want to feel like you’re holding an oversized device just because you haven’t opened it yet.

Inner Display: Where the Magic Happens

Unfold the device and you get a 7.8-inch display—larger than an iPad mini. This is where the tablet-sized experience kicks in. Slim bezels. An under-display camera (no notch cutting into your content). And—if Apple delivers—no visible crease running down the center.

That crease-free claim is everything. Every foldable phone on the market today has a visible crease. You can see it. You can feel it when you swipe your finger across it. It’s the most obvious sign you’re using a foldable phone rather than a regular device.

If Apple actually eliminates it? That’s a game-changer for the entire category.

Build Quality & Materials

Expect Apple’s signature approach:

• Surgical-grade stainless steel or titanium frame
• Ceramic Shield on front and back (tough as hell, but can still scratch)
• Aerospace-grade aluminum hinge (heavily engineered to minimize creasing)
• IP68 water resistance (submersible, though the hinge may be the weak point)

Weight estimate: 240–260 grams. Noticeably heavier than current iPhones, but reasonable for a device with a larger battery and display. When unfolded, thickness drops to around 6–7mm, showing the engineering investment Apple has made.

The Crease-Free Display: Apple’s Secret Weapon

Why Every Foldable Has a Crease (And Why It’s Annoying)

Every foldable phone from Samsung, OnePlus, Honor—they all have a crease. It’s not cosmetic. It’s structural. The display has to flex, and when flexible OLED bends around a hinge, it creates a visible and tactile line.

Users complain about it constantly. Reviewers mention it in every foldable phone review. It’s the single biggest “yeah, but…” when comparing foldables to rigid phones.

Apple’s engineers have reportedly spent years solving this specific problem. And according to supply-chain reports, they think they’ve cracked it.

How Apple Claims to Fix It

The details are secret, but industry analysts point to:

• New hinge mechanism: Designed to flatten the fold area, distributing stress more evenly
• Specialized display substrate: Materials that resist creasing better than current foldable displays
• Advanced glass layers: New engineering to protect the flexible screen while maintaining crease-free appearance

The exact technology remains locked behind Apple’s engineering labs. But the promise is clear: the most refined foldable screen ever made.

Full Technical Specifications

Why These Specs Matter

Larger battery: The 5,400–5,800 mAh capacity is roughly 40% larger than current iPhones. This is essential because the bigger inner display will consume significantly more power.

Under-display selfie camera: Crucial for maintaining that clean, crease-free inner display. No notch cutting into your content.

iOS 27 optimization: Software is the real differentiator. Apple will build the entire OS around the foldable form factor—split-screen multitasking, foldable-aware apps, adaptive UI layouts.

Pro cameras (not Ultra): This suggests Apple is keeping the camera system powerful but managing thickness and weight. Not going after the ultra-high-end camera specs.

Pricing: What You’ll Actually Pay in the UK

US Pricing (The Starting Point)

Most analyst reports converge on $2,399 for the base 256GB model in the US. For context:

• That’s roughly £300–400 more than the iPhone 16 Pro Max (which starts at £2,019)
• More expensive than a high-end iPad Pro + MacBook Air combined
• About £400 more than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (typically $1,999)

Storage tier pricing is expected to follow Apple’s standard structure:

• 256GB: $2,399
• 512GB: $2,599
• 1TB: $2,799+

UK Pricing (Estimated Based on Current Patterns)

Using Apple’s typical US-to-UK conversion ratio (roughly 1:1.25–1.3), expect:

Important note: These are estimates based on current Apple pricing patterns. The actual UK price will depend on currency conversion, VAT, and any special UK pricing Apple decides to implement. We’ll have certainty only after the official announcement.

Carrier Deals & Trade-In Options

UK carriers will likely offer:

• Upfront cost on contracts: £500–£800+ with a 24–36 month plan
• Monthly payment: £60–£100+ per month
• Trade-in deals: Up to £600–£800 credit if you trade in an older iPhone

These are rough estimates. Actual offers will become clear closer to launch.

Release Date & Availability Timeline

Most Likely Scenario: September 2026

Multiple credible sources point to this timeline:

• September 2026: Apple announcement event
• Late September 2026: Pre-orders begin
• Early October 2026: General availability (subject to supply)

Risk: Delays to 2027

The iPhone Fold has already been delayed multiple times (originally 2024, then 2025). A final slip to 2027 is possible if:

• The crease-free technology isn’t production-ready
• Manufacturing yields are too low
• Durability testing reveals unforeseen issues
• Global component shortages occur

2026 is consensus, but manage expectations. Apple will only launch when they believe the product is ready.

Initial Availability

Expected launch markets:

• 🇺🇸 United States
• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
• 🇦🇺 Australia
• 🇯🇵 Japan
• 🇪🇺 Select European countries

Available through Apple Stores, online, and major UK retailers (John Lewis, Currys, Selfridges) from day one—but supply may be limited.

iPhone Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 6: The Real Comparison

Key Differences That Matter

Crease-free display: This is the headline story. If Apple delivers, it’s a major leap for foldable technology. If it doesn’t, the iPhone Fold is just another expensive foldable competing on software ecosystem alone.

iOS vs. Android: Ecosystem lock-in. iPhone users stay in Apple’s world. Android users already know the Galaxy Z Fold. The iPhone Fold doesn’t change your ecosystem choice—it just gives Apple users a foldable option.

Price premium: The iPhone Fold is £200–250 more expensive than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in the UK. You’re paying for Apple’s brand, build quality, software optimization, and (hopefully) that crease-free display. Whether that justifies the premium is personal.

Durability, Risks & First-Generation Reality

Why First-Gen Foldables Are Risky

The Galaxy Z Fold launched in 2020 with significant issues: plastic inner display that scratched easily, hinge prone to premature creasing, limited water resistance. By Z Fold 6 (2024), Samsung fixed most problems. But users suffered through four generations of refinements.

The iPhone Fold will be Apple’s first foldable. It will be more refined than the Z Fold 1, but you should expect:

• Hinge wear: Hinges degrade with repeated folding. Apple’s hinge is reportedly more durable, but real-world testing will tell the truth
• Display durability: Even with protective layers, the inner display may be more vulnerable than a rigid screen. Time will tell
• Battery degradation: Larger batteries can degrade faster. Year 2–3 performance may show noticeable decline
• Thermal issues: More powerful chip + larger screen = more heat. Apple’s thermal design needs to be proven in real usage

AppleCare+ Will Be Essential

For a £2,000+ device:

• Monthly cost: Probably £25–35/month for 24 months
• Total coverage cost: £600–840 over two years
• Accidental damage coverage: Drops, water damage, cracked screens
• Screen replacement cost (if needed): Likely £300–500 without coverage

This adds significant to your total cost of ownership. Budget accordingly.

Should You Wait for the iPhone Fold? Practical Advice

Wait If You:

• Are genuinely interested in a tablet-sized portable screen
• Can afford £2,000+ without financial strain
• Have an older iPhone (XS, 11, 12) that needs upgrading
• Want a single device to replace both iPhone and iPad mini
• Are willing to wait until 2027–2028 for a second-generation (more refined) version
• Are an early adopter who gets excited about cutting-edge technology

Don’t Wait If You:

• Need a new phone right now
• Are on a limited budget (iPhone 16 is excellent at half the price)
• Want proven durability before jumping to a foldable
• Prefer simplicity (no complex moving parts)
• Are happy with your current iPhone 15 or 16 (waiting 9+ months for minimal benefit)
• Prefer Android (Galaxy Z Fold 6 is available now)

Realistic Expectations If You Do Wait

• Limited initial availability: Apple will prioritize the US. UK supply will be constrained for weeks or months
• Price won’t drop quickly: Apple flagships stay expensive for at least 12 months. Don’t expect significant discounts in late 2026
• Early reviews will be mixed: Expect some durability concerns to emerge in real-world usage. Every first-gen device has surprises
• Second-generation will be better: By 2027–2028, iPhone Fold 2 will be significantly more refined, potentially cheaper, and proven reliable
• Supply constraints: Pre-orders will likely sell out. Getting one on launch day may require persistence

Frequently Asked Questions