Apple loyalists hoping to snap shut their foldable iPhone by autumn might must train a bit extra endurance. The iPhone Fold, initially anticipated to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Professional and iPhone 18 Professional Max at Apple’s September occasion, won’t ship with these iPhones.
In line with Apple analyst Tim Lengthy, the iPhone Fold will doubtless start transport in December, slightly than in September. This contradicts earlier studies suggesting a September launch (through MacRumors).
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So, what’s going to Apple showcase in September 2026?
To me, it feels like Apple might nonetheless showcase the iPhone Fold on the iPhone 18 Professional launch (as a teaser or transient preview of the know-how that has gone into the smartphone), whereas clearly indicating that it’ll begin transport in just a few months.
The explanation behind delaying the iPhone Fold’s shipments may very well be easy. By releasing the iPhone 18 Professional in September and the iPhone Fold in December, the Professional sequence will get two months of undivided consideration from consumers.
I do know loads of consumers in India who align their improve cycle with Apple’s September launches, and the staggered technique may very well be to guard the iPhone 18 Professional’s early gross sales. In the meantime, the iPhone Fold would get one other two months of hype, with rumors and leaks coming in from all instructions, preserving potential consumers on their toes.
Traditionally, Apple has carried out the identical factor with the iPhone X. It was out there to buy roughly 10 days after the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus went on sale.
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Apple may wish to launch the iPhone Fold on the most secure time
Now, the hole between the iPhone 18 Professional and the iPhone Fold isn’t the identical, however the iPhone Fold goes to be the most costly mannequin in Apple’s lineup to this point. Apple may wish to launch it when there’s no potential menace to its gross sales. Additional, the foldable might additionally profit from the vacation procuring season.
Together with the iPhone Fold’s launch, the analyst additionally shared some details about the corporate’s future roadmap. First, the common iPhone 18 might launch in March 2027 alongside an iPhone 18e. Second, these telephones may very well be accompanied by both an iPhone 18 Plus or an iPhone Air 2.
I’m not positive concerning the iPhone 18 Plus, as there haven’t been any current leaks or chatter concerning the handset since Apple killed it with the iPhone 17 lineup. The Air 2, then again, might very nicely be part of Apple’s March 2027 product listing.
