A Chinese leaker said rumors that Apple's first foldable iPhone is delayed are false and the device remains on schedule for launch.
This development is significant because Apple has yet to enter the foldable market, and any delay would signal technical hurdles in a highly competitive hardware sector.
Fixed Focus Digital, a leaker specializing in iPhone foldables, said suggestions that the release has been pushed to next year are "far-fetched" [1]. According to the leaker, there is no evidence of production or supply-chain issues that would necessitate a postponement [1], [2].
The device is expected to launch in September 2026 [1]. It is slated to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series [3]. This product launch is presumed to take place at Apple Park in Cupertino, California [1], [3].
Reports on the device's pricing suggest an expected range between $1,199 and $1,299 [4].
However, not all reports align with the leaker's optimism. Some sources have noted that fears over the hinge could lead to delays [5]. This creates a contradiction between those monitoring the supply chain and those tracking specific hardware components, like the hinge mechanism [1], [5].
Despite these conflicting reports, Fixed Focus Digital said the launch delay rumors are "false" [1]. The leaker said the original timeline remains intact for the September event [1].
“Launch delay rumors are "false"”
The conflict between supply-chain leaks and hardware-specific concerns suggests Apple may be navigating final engineering challenges with the foldable hinge. While the leaker asserts the timeline is secure, the mention of hinge issues indicates that the device's viability depends on Apple's strict quality standards for durability before a mass-market release.
