Apple’s First Foldable iPhone: No Physical SIM Slot, Highest Price Among Foldable Smartphones

The latest leaks from reputable sources in China are painting a clearer picture of Apple’s first foldable iPhone, a device expected to mark a significant shift in the company’s hardware design. However, alongside its technological ambitions, the phone is rumored to feature bold changes and a price tag that may be hard to swallow for most consumers.

According to Instant Digital on Weibo, Apple’s foldable iPhone will ditch the physical SIM card slot in favor of eSIM technology. This decision is believed to save internal space, a critical factor as Apple pursues an ultra-slim design. This aligns with earlier analyses from Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo.

However, the eSIM-only approach could pose challenges in the Chinese market, where users favor physical SIM cards for their flexibility, especially in a culture where buying and trading devices is prevalent. Even the iPhone Air, which also relies solely on eSIM, heavily depends on support from China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom, with activation often requiring an in-store visit.

Global sales of the iPhone Air have reportedly fallen short of expectations, partly due to design trade-offs like shorter battery life and limited camera capabilities. In China, the eSIM barrier is expected to make consumers even more hesitant about the iPhone Fold.

Reports suggest Apple plans to unveil the iPhone Fold in late 2026 or early 2027. The device is rumored to feature a 5.5-inch external screen and a 7.8-inch internal screen, opening like a book, similar to small tablets like the iPad mini. It’s also expected to include a 24 MP under-display camera and a crease-free internal screen, a breakthrough the foldable industry has long pursued.

UDN (Taiwan) reports that Apple, NewRixing, and Amphenol have collaborated on a new hinge system using liquid metal and high-strength components to minimize creasing. The internal screen will be produced by Samsung Display, while the substrate structure and lamination technology are designed by Apple.

According to reports, Hon Hai (Foxconn) has set up test lines and is preparing to produce the first batches of the iPhone Fold.

While the design details have garnered attention, the rumored price of the iPhone Fold has sparked even more debate. Fubon Research suggests it could cost up to $2,399, surpassing competitors like the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 / Flip 7, and Motorola Razr series, which range from $700 to $2,000.

The high price is attributed to expensive components such as a custom OLED panel, liquid metal hinges, lightweight parts, and a 75% increase in RAM costs over the past year. Material costs are expected to rise another 5–7% by 2026 due to global demand for chips and memory.

The foldable smartphone market has grown rapidly since 2018, but no manufacturer has completely eliminated the crease issue. The OnePlus Open was praised for its nearly invisible crease, but it still falls short of being perfectly flat.

If the iPhone Fold truly delivers a crease-free experience, it could become a significant differentiator—and a reason for users to accept the record-high price. Content creator Jessica Naziri told CNET, “Users will find a way to pay if Apple delivers a true breakthrough.”

However, the eSIM challenge and high price tag may force Apple to carefully tailor its market approach, especially in China, where foldable phones are growing rapidly and competition is fierce.

Source: MacRumors