The sheer complexity involved in mass manufacturing an iPhone Fold means that it will be expensive hardware to make, so to maintain its high margins, Apple would be forced to sell it at a significantly higher price. The latest analysis takes a deep dive on the estimated ‘Bill of Materials’ (BOM) of the upcoming flagship that is expected to launch in the second half of 2026, and to give you a hint, its calculated production cost will only be slightly lower than the base iPhone 16’s U.S. price, so before you read the additional details below, take a few guesses on what number might be.
Foldable iPhone could generate healthier margins than the iPhone 16, but its ridiculously high price means it will sell in significantly lower volume
A simulation analysis performed by UBS’ J. Yoon states that the foldable iPhone’s BOM will be $759, making it only $40 lower than the U.S. retail price of an unlocked base iPhone 16. One primary reason why this bill could shoot up is because Apple has been reported to be exploring various methods to mitigate, or outright eliminate, the crease’s visibility, which has been an unyielding challenge for other foldable smartphone manufacturers. Earlier today, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned that Korean firm Fine M-Tec will provide metal plates that will be attached to the device’s OLED panel made by Samsung using laser drilling.
This extra step in the manufacturing stage will ensure that, with excessive use, the OLED panel’s elastic limit does not exceed the recommended threshold, which would otherwise result in those creases showing up. Another method mentioned by DSCC (Display Supply Chain Consultants) founder and CEO Ross Young is having a thicker front glass that is chemically treated. Whether or not Apple chooses both techniques is anyone’s guess, but it is expected to raise the production price, which will bump up that BOM figure.
Moving on, the tipster @Jukanlosreve provides in-depth information about the analysis on X, which mentions that Apple can offset the rising expenditure of the titanium alloy chassis, liquid metal hinge and cellular communication by downgrading the specifications of its A-series SoC, memory and camera, bringing the foldable iPhone’s estimated retail price between $2,000 and $2,400. Even with those trade-offs, the device will be a pricey undertaking, with even Kuo suggesting that the smartphone could cost customers between $2,000 and $2,500.
However, at the UBS analyst’s suggested MSRP range, Apple could generate a gross margin of 58-64 percent, making it higher than the iPhone 16’s, which is 47 percent. The foldable iPhone is already rumored to ship without Face ID due to design complications, which is a compromise that potential buyers will definitely not be happy about if it comes true, but let us hold our breath just for a little while, and we will know exactly what kind of product enters the market.
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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