Every September, Apple drops a new iPhone and the internet lights up with memes, with Samsung usually leading the roast. But, the joke might not land next time. Apple is preparing to launch a device that every tech enthusiast has been waiting for— its first foldable iPhone.
Moreover, if recent reports are anything to go by, it could be made in India and hit shelves as early as 2026.
Apple’s foldable iPhone plans take shape
According to several outlets who cover
Apple’s supply chain, the tech giant has already started testing production for its first-ever foldable iPhone. A small pilot line has been set up in Taiwan, where engineers are fine-tuning the the schematics and ironing out manufacturing challenges. This trial phase will act as the foundation for full-scale production, allowing Apple to perfect its design and build process before going big.
Why India could be at the centre of it
Once the Taiwan testing phase is complete, Apple plans to replicate the entire process in India. This is not just about final assembly, it could mean a deeper role for Indian plants in Apple’s global manufacturing playbook.
Industry watchers say this would create thousands of new jobs and cement India’s position as one of Apple’s most crucial production hubs outside China.
Production goals point to big ambitions
Apple reportedly has a bold target for 2026: to produce around 95 million iPhones, which would be more than 10% higher than this year’s output. The foldable iPhone is expected to play a major part in meeting that number, hinting at Apple’s confidence in the device’s demand.
Suppliers have even pinned down a pilot site in northern Taiwan to get things rolling, signalling that the company is serious about bringing this to market.
A game-changer in the making
If all goes as planned, India could soon be home to production of Apple’s most innovative iPhone yet. A foldable iPhone would not only mark a dramatic shift in
Apple’s lineup but also shake up the global smartphone market, where foldables are becoming more mainstream. And this time, it might be Apple leading the conversation — not the memes.
