SAN FRANCISCO, January 16, 2026, 09:20 (PST)
- According to a client note, analyst Jeff Pu predicts Apple will launch a foldable iPhone in September 2026.
- Pu predicted the smartphone market might contract in 2026 due to rising memory costs, with Apple potentially increasing its market share.
- Discussing the supply chain, sources mention a liquid-metal hinge along with increased titanium use in the chassis.
Analyst Jeff Pu predicts Apple will launch a foldable iPhone in September 2026, featuring a 7.8-inch internal display alongside a 5.3-inch cover screen and a return of Touch ID, according to a client note highlighted by 9to5Mac. Pu also forecasts a 4% decline in global smartphone shipments next year, largely driven by memory cost pressures hitting low-to-mid-end Android devices. Despite this, he estimates iPhone shipments will rise 2% to 250 million units in 2026, boosting Apple’s market share to 21%, the report noted. 1
The note arrives as phone manufacturers prepare for a sluggish 2026, hunting for fresh designs to encourage upgrades. Foldables have existed for years, yet their sales remain limited and prices typically lean high.
Apple hasn’t officially announced a foldable iPhone yet, but past reports indicate it has contacted Asian suppliers and given the project an internal code name, aiming for a possible launch by 2026. Samsung Electronics, which debuted foldable phones back in 2019, along with China’s Huawei and Honor, continue to advance the format with slimmer builds and AI enhancements. 2
Pu’s note highlights Apple’s shift to an A20 Pro chip built on TSMC’s 2-nanometer process — a cutting-edge step that boosts both speed and energy efficiency. It also mentions Apple adopting wafer-level multi-chip module packaging, which integrates memory directly onto the same wafer as the processor. According to MacRumors, this could boost chip performance by up to 15% and increase efficiency by 30%, while also freeing up internal space for other components. The Pro models and the foldable device are expected to come with 12GB of LPDDR5 memory, a power-efficient standard common in smartphones, along with Apple’s C2 modem, the report added. 3
On a related note, supply-chain chatter points to Apple possibly incorporating a “liquid metal” hinge — an amorphous alloy known for its resistance to bending — along with an updated titanium blend in the chassis to reduce weight without sacrificing strength. MacRumors tracked down the claim to a Naver account quoting a source from a materials company and highlighted Apple’s longstanding licensing deal with Liquidmetal Technologies. 4
According to a Nikkei report cited by Reuters in September, Apple has been in talks with suppliers in Taiwan about trial production of foldable iPhones. The goal is to eventually ramp up mass production in India, aiming for a 2026 launch. The report detailed plans for a pilot manufacturing line in Taiwan to refine the process before scaling up. 5
The foldable is still very much a moving target. Apple could adjust the design or delay the launch, and the category itself has long struggled with durability issues—hinges, screens, and creases all prone to problems. Plus, steep prices have kept foldables confined to a niche market.
Investors and suppliers are currently sifting through analyst reports and whispers about components as they await Apple’s typical September iPhone launch. A change in parts orders or any clue from Apple’s product roadmap could strengthen the speculation that the iPhone Fold is finally making the leap from concept to reality.
