With foldables getting more and more advanced, Apple is shifting their gears and moving forward with their long-rumoured foldable iPhone. According to DigiTimes, the tech giant has officially entered the prototyping phase for its first foldable device and is targeting a launch in the second half of 2026. This means that we could see this foldable phone debut alongside the iPhone 18 series, making the launch event even more exciting.

A new report from DigiTimes reveals that Apple kicked off its P1 prototype phase in June 2025. This is the first step in a multi-stage prototyping process. The process includes three prototypes: P1, P2, and P3, and each phase is expected to last about two months. If everything goes as planned, Apple will begin the Engineering Verification Test (EVT) phase by late 2025.

From there, the device will undergo DVT (Design Verification Test) and finally move into Mass Production. This cycle mirrors Apple’s traditional product pipeline. Major partners like Foxconn and Pegatron are expected to take over assembly during the later stages.

With the current development, the timeline suggests that the foldable iPhone will debut alongside the iPhone 18 series. This also means that Apple fans would have a completely new type of device to be excited about, making the event more memorable.

Foldable iPad Project Hits Pause

On the flip side, the foldable iPad has reportedly been shelved for now. Sources say Apple hit multiple roadblocks like high manufacturing complexity, expensive flexible display components, and low consumer demand for large-screen foldables. This shows that Apple is playing it safe as they pivot to a foldable phone instead of an iPad. This phone could actually have better success, as people are slowly switching over to foldables.