WEB DESK: Apple may have just introduced its slimmest iPhone ever with the launch of the iPhone Air, but it seems the company is already preparing to break its own record.
Rumours about Apple’s 2026 lineup suggest the company is working on its first-ever foldable iPhone, widely referred to as the “iPhone Fold,” and it is expected to be even thinner than the freshly launched Air.
Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that the foldable device could measure between 4.5mm and 4.8mm when unfolded. That would make it roughly a millimetre slimmer than the 5.6mm-thick iPhone Air, which Apple proudly marketed as its thinnest model to date.
The change might sound small, but in the world of smartphones, shaving off 20 percent of thickness compared to an already ultra-thin design is considered a major leap.
Folded size close to Pro models, ultra-thin when opened
When folded, however, the iPhone Fold will bulk up to around 9–9.5mm. Even so, that figure still puts it in line with today’s premium models such as the iPhone 17 Pro, which measures 8.75mm thick.
In other words, users could have a device that feels similar to a current Pro model in their pocket, but becomes astonishingly thin once unfolded. That combination is expected to be one of the key selling points of the new design, should it launch as anticipated in the autumn of 2026.
A potential game-changer and Pakistan’s pricing challenge
The iPhone Fold is also being described by experts as one of the most radical design shifts Apple has ever attempted. Beyond just aesthetics, the new form factor would mark Apple’s formal entry into the foldable market, an area already being explored by competitors like Samsung and Huawei. If Apple manages to bring its trademark polish and ecosystem support to this category, the iPhone Fold could set a new standard for foldable devices.
High prices may dampen iPhone Fold’s local appeal
While international fans are looking ahead to what 2026 might bring, the conversation in Pakistan is still focused on affordability and availability. At present, non-PTA approved units of the iPhone 17 Air are being sold for as high as Rs396,000 in the local grey market.
By comparison, officially PTA-approved models start at around Rs210,000, though costs vary depending on the model and the type of registration applied for, whether through CNIC or passport.
This highlights a familiar challenge for Apple enthusiasts in Pakistan, where cutting-edge technology often arrives with a steep price tag. If the iPhone Fold reaches local markets after its international debut, it is likely to spark the same mix of emotions, with excitement over its futuristic design and frustration at the high cost of owning one.