Apple's rumored crease-free iPhone Fold will probably be super hard to find at launch. The device, which might replace Face ID with a side Touch ID sensor for thinness, faces significant manufacturing hurdles that could limit early supply, similar to Samsung's approach with its Galaxy Z TriFold, where each unit gets individual inspection. A recent rumor from the blog yeux1122 suggests this scarcity, though it lacks specific unit numbers, indicating Apple's supply chain is not yet in full swing for mass production.
The potential silver lining for customers is a lower-than-expected price point. Earlier estimates around twenty four hundred dollars have been revised down, with a new target reportedly under two thousand dollars, putting it in line with the cost of a 2TB iPhone 17 Pro Max. This aggressive pricing might mean Apple sells each unit at a loss, a strategy possibly offset by planned increased demand for the following iPhone 18 series.
Apple's overall launch strategy could shift to highlight the folding phone, with rumors pointing to a renamed base iPhone 18 possibly arriving later as the iPhone 20 in early 2027. This move would clear the stage for the iPhone Fold, maximizing its visibility and sales potential during its launch window despite the anticipated limited availability.
The potential silver lining for customers is a lower-than-expected price point. Earlier estimates around twenty four hundred dollars have been revised down, with a new target reportedly under two thousand dollars, putting it in line with the cost of a 2TB iPhone 17 Pro Max. This aggressive pricing might mean Apple sells each unit at a loss, a strategy possibly offset by planned increased demand for the following iPhone 18 series.
Apple's overall launch strategy could shift to highlight the folding phone, with rumors pointing to a renamed base iPhone 18 possibly arriving later as the iPhone 20 in early 2027. This move would clear the stage for the iPhone Fold, maximizing its visibility and sales potential during its launch window despite the anticipated limited availability.
