Apple's first iPhone Fold expected to launch in 2026 with lots of similarities to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Bloomberg's latest Power On Newsletter from July 20, 2025, provides an interesting insight into Apple's iPad Pro 2025 plans as well as a current look at its most ambitious project for 2026: the first foldable iPhone. Before all eyes turn to the 20th anniversary iPhone with its all-glass look, Apple will likely unveil its very first foldable iPhone in the fall of 2026 following numerous delays in recent years.

Samsung was the inspiration for the first iPhone Fold

Apple is comparatively late to the game considering the first foldable Galaxy Fold was launched in 2019. Unlike many other products in the past where Apple's entry left a clear mark and set the industry standard, such as the first iPhone, the first iPad or the AirPods, the very first foldable iPhone is likely to exhibit the successes of Samsung and others in the seven years up to 2026.

At least according to Mark Gurman's analysis, the Apple foldable, presumably called the iPhone Fold, will be very similar to the Galaxy Z Fold lineup, currently the Galaxy Z Fold 7. This is no surprise given that the majority of the components, such as the flexible AMOLED display, come from the South Korean company. Although the first iPhone Fold launch is unlikely to set standards, Gurman nevertheless expects strong sales figures. Many iPhone fans who may not be ready to switch to Android are likely to be keen on a foldable phone from Apple, especially in view of the consistently positive Galaxy Z Fold 7 reports thus far.

First Apple foldable likely to be a success

This means that both Apple and Samsung could benefit greatly from the first foldable iPhone. Apple stands to gain financially: despite supposedly relatively low production costs, retail prices above $2,000 and thus high margins are expected. The foldable trend is particularly strong in China, so Apple could make up a lot of ground here on its rather disappointing iPhone sales of late. Samsung, in turn, can take credit for the many years of development of the format. It is probably also pleased to have a new customer for its foldable components and may even find new Galaxy Z Fold 8 customers from the Android camp as a result of Apple's entry.

Despite the similarity between Apple's first foldable phone and the Samsung model, there are likely to be differences in the details. As previous reports have stated, the first foldable iPhone is expected to impress with a virtually nonexistent display crease, something that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is also expected to offer next year. The hinge will also be "dramatically" improved, according to Gurman. Furthermore, Apple is likely to adapt its software exactly to the new iPhone form factor via iOS 27 and thus do one or two things better than its rivals.