BlockBeats news: On July 5, Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at Tiantian International Securities, posted that the foldable iPhone may follow the same script as the iPhone X—launched alongside other models but with later pre-orders and official release dates, and supply constraints may persist until the end of 2026.
Based on third-quarter 2026 inventory levels, the foldable iPhone is likely to resemble the iPhone X in 2017, when the iPhone X and iPhone 8/8 Plus were unveiled together on September 12, but due to insufficient supply, pre-orders and official release were delayed until October 27 and November 3, respectively. Due to limited third-quarter shipments, the foldable iPhone may also not open pre-orders or launch until the fourth quarter of 2026.
Guo Mingchi believes that, after engaging with telecom operators, sales channels, and resellers/agents, he assesses that demand for the foldable iPhone will remain strong at least until the end of 2026, even if its price reaches approximately $2,300 to $2,500. This suggests that the foldable iPhone may sell out rapidly after pre-orders open, with shipping wait times quickly extending to four to six weeks or longer, persisting through December. He believes that the foldable iPhone’s limited initial supply, distinctive design, and innovative user experience could drive up short-term resale prices; a resale premium of 50% to 100% above the official price is not unlikely.