Apple appears to be keeping its most established formula in place: prioritize the Pro line first, then move deeper into foldable devices later. That approach now puts the iPhone Fold at risk of slipping behind schedule, even as the iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to arrive earlier in September 2026.
The delay concern is tied to supply chain pressure and manufacturing complexity. For Apple, that means its first foldable iPhone may need more time before it is ready for a global launch.
iPhone 18 Pro Max stays at the center of attention
Apple is reportedly treating the iPhone 18 Pro Max as the next major sales driver. The device is expected to feature a 6.9-inch display, placing it among the largest iPhone screens ever made.
Rumors also point to a 5,200 mAh battery, a size aimed at supporting longer daily use without limiting the appeal of the larger display. If accurate, that would make battery endurance one of the model’s most important selling points.
Display and camera upgrades are part of the plan
The front design is also said to be changing, with a smaller Dynamic Island in development. That shift would create more usable screen area and give the phone a cleaner look from the front.
On the camera side, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to include a variable aperture system. This feature could improve low-light performance while also giving users better control over depth of field and bokeh effects.
Taken together, the larger display, bigger battery, and camera work reinforce the Pro Max position as Apple’s flagship model for next year. The strategy fits Apple’s long-running pattern of using the highest-end variant to generate the strongest market attention.
The first foldable iPhone is still not clear of obstacles
The iPhone Fold remains one of the most closely watched devices in the industry because it would be Apple’s first foldable phone. Reports say it is being designed with an A20 Pro chipset built on a 2-nanometer process, 12 GB of RAM, and a foldable display engineered to minimize the crease.
Even so, the production process is still said to be facing technical hurdles and manufacturing complexity. Those issues are the main reason the launch timeline may not move in step with the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Apple is also said to be refining the hinge mechanism to meet its internal quality standards before mass production begins. On a foldable device, that component is critical because it affects durability and the overall user experience.
Apple’s staggered launch pattern is familiar
This would not be the first time Apple has separated announcement timing from sales timing. In 2017, the company introduced the iPhone X alongside other iPhone models, but sales started later after the official unveiling.
A staggered rollout gives Apple more room to protect product quality and keep the global supply chain on track. If the iPhone Fold is not ready in time, the company may use the same approach again.
Price expectations are also drawing attention. Several industry analysts have previously suggested that the iPhone Fold could become one of the most expensive products Apple has ever sold.
Some leaks even place the starting price at Rp32,7 juta, depending on configuration and storage capacity. At that level, the device still appears to be moving through a long preparation phase before it can compete in the market.