According to a new analysis from UBS Investment Bank, Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone – tentatively called the iPhone Fold – may launch at a price far lower than previously anticipated, directly competing with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7.

The key factor lies in Apple’s optimization of its bill of materials (BOM). UBS estimates that the BOM for the iPhone Fold will be around USD 759, which is USD 31 less than the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition’s BOM (USD 790).

Thanks to the iPhone’s massive global scale and purchasing power, Apple can source components such as memory, chipsets, and camera modules at lower costs than its competitors. An already well-established supply chain for various parts also contributes to these savings.

Based on production costs and Apple’s typical profit margins, UBS predicts the foldable iPhone will be priced between USD 1,800 and 2,000. This puts it at or even below the current USD 2,000 price tag of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in the U.S., and significantly lower than earlier rumors suggesting a launch price between USD 2,100 and 2,300.

UBS also expects Apple to produce 10 to 15 million units initially - less than half the output of the iPhone Pro Max. Several suppliers have been named as likely contributors to the project, including Samsung Display, which is expected to manufacture the main 7-inch foldable screen.

UBS believes the release of a foldable iPhone could catalyze broader adoption of foldable devices across the smartphone market. This is a plausible scenario, considering Apple users represent a large share of the global smartphone base, and the best foldables currently run only on Android.

Though foldable phones have existed for six years, Apple’s entry into the category could breathe new life into the format. The latest estimates suggest the iPhone Fold will debut sometime in 2026 or early 2027.

Apple is also reportedly addressing one of the biggest consumer pain points: the screen crease. Apple is known to strongly oppose any visible creasing on foldable displays - an expectation echoed by most users.

The company may have found a solution. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Samsung Display will use metal layers supplied by Fine M-Tec to help “distribute and control bending pressure,” reducing the likelihood of screen creases.

Typically, Samsung Display etches microscopic structures into display panels to manage pressure distribution. However, for the iPhone Fold, the company will employ laser drilling technology to meet Apple’s more demanding crease-free display requirements. Kuo notes this process is more expensive and could impact the final price of the iPhone.

Fine M-Tec is expected to begin shipping metal sheets for the iPhone Fold in Q1 2026 in preparation for mass production in the second half of the year. While Fine M-Tec also supplies materials for Samsung’s foldables, Kuo did not confirm whether the same method will be used on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which already shows improved crease performance.

Du Lam (Macworld, TomsGuide)