Apple's First Foldable iPhone Could Debut by 2026: What We Know So Far? Tech giant Apple, headquartered in California, is rumored to be preparing to launch its first foldable iPhone as early as 2026, marking a major shift in its iconic product line. According to a recent report by The Information, Apple is advancing beyond the initial design phase for this innovative device.

Sources close to the matter have revealed that Apple is already in talks with Asian suppliers to manufacture parts for the new foldable iPhone, which is internally code-named V68. This move mirrors Samsung Electronics' foray into foldable smartphones, which began in 2019 and aimed to attract customers with cutting-edge technology.

The report suggests that Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market could be timed to leverage the growing demand for devices equipped with AI features. This comes as Apple faces stiff competition from Honor and Huawei in China and Samsung globally. Earlier this month, Samsung unveiled its latest foldable models, featuring lighter designs and enhanced AI capabilities.

Counterpoint Research reported a 49% year-over-year growth in the global foldable smartphone market for the first quarter, marking the highest increase in six quarters. Huawei has also recently overtaken Samsung to become the leading player in this sector.

In addition to its foldable iPhone plans, Apple is also reportedly working on a significant camera upgrade for at least one of its iPhone models. This enhancement would allow users to adjust the aperture size mechanically, creating a depth-of-field effect for improved photography.

However, it remains uncertain whether Apple will actually release the foldable iPhone. Speculation has long surrounded Apple's potential entry into foldable technology, with some previous reports suggesting that the company's first foldable product might be a larger device, such as a foldable iPad or MacBook, rather than the expected iPhone Fold.

The report further notes that Apple's cautious approach to foldable technology is due to its stringent quality standards. Although Apple has collaborated with Samsung on display technology, the company is searching for a foldable panel that meets its exacting specifications. To ensure this, Apple has even reassigned engineers from other projects, including the Vision Pro, to focus on developing its foldable technology.

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