Apple’s foldable iPhone is coming… not just when you thought

Apple's foldable iPhone is quietly slipping to December, taking a page from the iPhone X playbook — and dragging back the "Plus" name with it.

By Shikhar Mehrotra Published March 21, 2026

iPhone Fold CAD-based AI visualization. — iPhone Fold CAD-based render AI Visualization

Apple loyalists hoping to snap shut their foldable iPhone by autumn may need to exercise a little more patience. The iPhone Fold, initially expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at Apple’s September event, might not ship with these iPhones.

According to Apple analyst Tim Long, the iPhone Fold will likely begin shipping in December, rather than in September. This contradicts previous reports suggesting a September release (via MacRumors).

So, what will Apple showcase in September 2026?

To me, it sounds like Apple could still showcase the iPhone Fold at the iPhone 18 Pro launch (as a teaser or brief preview of the technology that has gone into the smartphone), while clearly indicating that it will start shipping in a few months.

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The reason behind delaying the iPhone Fold’s shipments could be simple. By releasing the iPhone 18 Pro in September and the iPhone Fold in December, the Pro series gets two months of undivided attention from buyers.

I know plenty of buyers in India who align their upgrade cycle with Apple’s September launches, and the staggered strategy could be to protect the iPhone 18 Pro’s early sales. Meanwhile, the iPhone Fold would get another two months of hype, with rumors and leaks coming in from all directions, keeping potential buyers on their toes.

Historically, Apple has done the same thing with the iPhone X. It was available to purchase roughly 10 days after the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus went on sale.

Apple might want to launch the iPhone Fold at the safest time

Now, the gap between the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Fold isn’t the same, but the iPhone Fold is going to be the most expensive model in Apple’s lineup so far. Apple might want to launch it when there’s no potential threat to its sales. Further, the foldable could also benefit from the holiday shopping season.

Along with the iPhone Fold’s launch, the analyst also shared some information about the company’s future roadmap. First, the regular iPhone 18 could launch in March 2027 alongside an iPhone 18e. Second, these phones could be accompanied by either an iPhone 18 Plus or an iPhone Air 2.

I am not sure about the iPhone 18 Plus, as there haven’t been any recent leaks or chatter about the handset since Apple killed it with the iPhone 17 lineup. The Air 2, on the other hand, could very well be a part of Apple’s March 2027 product list.

Shikhar Mehrotra

News Writer

For more than five years, Shikhar has consistently simplified developments in the field of consumer tech and presented them…

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