Bengaluru, March 25, 2025 – Apple is gearing up to launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026, blending tech from the iPhone 17 Air, according to analyst Mark Gurman via Gadgets 360. Expected to sport a 7.9-inch foldable display in a clamshell design, it’s aimed at India’s premium smartphone market, where foldables surged 40% in 2024 (Counterpoint Research). Production will lean on Indian suppliers like Tata, already churning out iPhone casings.
India’s appetite for high-end devices is growing—Apple’s market share hit 7% in 2024 (IDC)—but foldables remain niche, led by Samsung’s Z Fold and Flip series. Priced likely above Rs 1.5 lakh, the foldable iPhone could capitalize on Apple’s loyal base, especially in tech hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai. Gurman hints at a thinner profile and enhanced durability, tackling past foldable woes like screen creases (The Verge, 2024).
The delay—Samsung’s been folding since 2019—puts Apple behind, but its ecosystem edge (iOS, AirPods) might sway buyers. X posts speculate on a “game-changer,” though some scoff at the late entry. India’s manufacturing push under ‘Make in India’ aligns perfectly, yet the real question looms: Will premium pricing fly in a cost-sensitive market, or is Apple banking too hard on brand allure?
