Apple is preparing to enter the foldable smartphone market with a device that could carry a hefty price tag. According to industry analysts, the company’s first foldable iPhone, rumored to be called the iPhone Ultra, may start at over $2,000, with higher-storage configurations potentially exceeding $3,000.
Premium Pricing Expected
IDC estimates the average selling price for the flagship foldable will be above $2,550 (roughly Rs. 2.25 lakh), while other variants could reach or surpass $3,000. TrendForce offers a slightly lower projection, placing the price between $2,099 and $2,299 (approximately Rs. 1.85 lakh to Rs. 2.03 lakh). Citi analysts also expect the starting price to exceed $2,000.
These figures would position Apple’s foldable well above Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, which retails at $1,899. The premium pricing reflects not only the novelty of the form factor but also rising component costs.
Rising Memory Costs
The smartphone industry has faced significant memory price increases over the past year. Counterpoint Research notes that the cost of 16GB of smartphone DRAM jumped from about $42 in Q2 2025 to around $181 a year later—a more than fourfold increase. This trend is expected to impact the pricing of all high-end devices, including Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, which TrendForce predicts will cost $1,319, up from the iPhone 17 Pro’s $1,099 starting price.
Expected Features and Design
The iPhone Ultra is rumored to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover screen, along with 12GB of RAM and a 5,500mAh battery. Apple is reportedly focusing heavily on the hinge mechanism and display crease, conducting additional manufacturing trials to improve both areas.
Limited Initial Supply
Production is currently estimated at only a few hundred units per day as Apple fine-tunes the manufacturing process. This suggests that initial supply could be constrained, potentially driving up prices even further in secondary markets.
Launch Event and Market Impact
Apple is scheduled to unveil its September lineup at the Steve Jobs Theater on September 9. The event is expected to include the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable model. The standard iPhone 18 and refreshed iPhone Air are expected to follow later.
The foldable iPhone represents a key test for Apple: will consumers be willing to pay a premium for the new form factor? With the foldable smartphone market still relatively niche, Apple’s entry could either validate the segment or face an uphill battle against established players like Samsung.
As the launch approaches, more details are likely to emerge. For now, the industry is watching closely to see if Apple can redefine the foldable category—and at what cost.
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