JAKARTA - The issue of the presence of a folding screen iPhone is circulating again, but this time it is accompanied by a big question mark. An analyst from Barclays predicts that the iPhone Fold will be launched in December 2026 - a claim that is immediately seen as skeptical by many observers.
The analyst, Tim Long, said the launch would take place several months after the arrival of the iPhone 18 Pro line. That is, if true, Apple will release its first foldable device not in conjunction with the main lineup, but with an unusual time lag.
The problem is, this prediction stands alone. Until now, the majority of other rumors have actually led to the launch of the iPhone Fold at the end of 2026 along with the latest iPhone series. In fact, there have been no leaks of components or supply chains that are usually strong indicators ahead of the launch of Apple products.
The lack of details also weakens the claim. Long did not explain the specific reason behind the December schedule, other than citing sources from the supply chain. Without the support of additional data, this prediction is still far from convincing.
The track record of the analyst is also in the spotlight. Previously, Long had missed in predicting the demand for the iPhone X in 2018. He was also considered inaccurate in the projection related to the iPhone 16. However, some of his latest predictions about the price of the iPhone Fold are said to be in line with well-known analysts such as Ming-Chi Kuo.
In the same note, Long also mentioned the possibility of the presence of the iPhone 18 Plus variant in the spring - another claim that has not been supported by any source.
In the midst of heavy speculation, one thing that is suspicious is the absence of physical leaks. For a product as big as the iPhone Fold, usually there are traces of components or designs long before the release schedule. The fact that there has been no indication of such a thing suggests that this project is still in a very early stage - or even not ready for 2026.
For Apple, a foldable device would be a big step into a segment that has been dominated by other manufacturers. However, until there is more solid confirmation, the rumor of the December launch is still more suitable to be kept as a "watchlist" than a reference.
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