Apple is on the cusp of launching its first foldable iPhone, with the supply chain reportedly close to finalizing specifications for a book-style “iPhone Fold” targeting a release in the second half of 2026. This move marks Apple’s entry into a segment that, while still niche, is poised for transformation as the world’s most influential smartphone brand steps in. UBS surveyed the landscape in an analyst note: Unfolding the implications of an iPhone Fold launch.
UBS’ teardown analysis of Samsung’s Z Fold SE (BOM cost: $790) suggests Apple’s iPhone Fold could achieve a BOM cost of $759—about 4% lower—thanks to cost savings on memory, application processors, and camera modules, even as premium materials drive up casing and hinge costs.
