Apple’s first foldable iPhone may carry a more aggressive price premium than even the company’s highest-capacity conventional flagship. TrendForce estimates that the 256GB entry version could cost between $2,099 and $2,299 in the U.S., while the top configuration may climb past $3,000.
That starting range would put the device $100 to $300 above a 2TB iPhone 17 Pro Max, which is priced at $1,999 in the U.S. The foldable is widely referred to in reports as the iPhone 18 Fold, while “iPhone Ultra” remains an unofficial name; Apple has not confirmed either the product name or its pricing.
A premium for the foldable form factor
TrendForce expects storage tiers of 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. It has not assigned a price to every capacity, so it is not yet clear whether a 2TB model specifically would cross the $3,000 mark. Still, if the highest-spec version does exceed that threshold, the projected gap from the least-expensive model would be at least $901.
- Estimated entry configuration: 256GB for $2,099 to $2,299
- Expected storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB
- Estimated highest configuration: more than $3,000
- Current comparison point: 2TB iPhone 17 Pro Max at $1,999
The estimate comes as component costs are expected to pressure pricing across Apple’s next iPhone generation. TrendForce projects potential increases of roughly 10% to 20%, citing higher component costs; it says the cost of 256GB memory has risen to nearly five times its level a year earlier. Apple may absorb part of those increases to protect market share, but a foldable would apparently be positioned well above the Pro line from the outset.
Big-screen mobility, with little room for compromises
For portable-computing buyers, the appeal of Apple’s first foldable would be the possibility of a larger display in a phone-sized device. Early reporting points to a large screen and a well-regarded hinge, but also suggests the device may omit a telephoto camera. At an estimated $2,100 or more, the final balance of display utility, cameras, durability, and storage will matter more than it does on a typical flagship phone.
TrendForce expects foldables to account for only about 2% of the global smartphone market in 2026, underscoring how specialized this category remains. The firm places Apple’s first foldable in fall 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Until Apple provides official specifications and a price ladder, the device appears aimed at buyers who value a compact-to-large-screen form factor enough to accept what could be Apple’s most expensive iPhone range yet.
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