Apple iPhone 18 Pro & foldable iPhone: All the rumours

However, mobile network speeds may not see a dramatic leap, particularly if Apple continues to omit mmWave 5G due to its higher power consumption.

Bolder colour options

Apple broke with tradition when it introduced the iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange, and it appears the company isn’t done experimenting with bolder colours. For the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple is reportedly testing a range of unconventional finishes, including deep red, purple, and brown.

Dummy units obtained by tipster @SonnyDickson reportedly show four colour options: light blue, black, silver, and dark cherry. Of the four, the dark cherry finish is likely to be the most eye-catching and could become the signature colour of the iPhone 18 Pro lineup—much like Cosmic Orange is for the current generation.

Apple’s first foldable iPhone

After years of rumours, Apple’s long-awaited entry into the foldable phone market could finally become a reality. Rather than simply replicating existing designs, Apple is reportedly taking a different approach with a wider but shorter form factor.

To be clear, the wider design isn’t entirely new. Huawei was among the first to experiment with this approach with the Pura X, while Samsung recently followed suit with the Galaxy Z Fold8. In our hands-on experience with the Galaxy Z Fold8, we found the shorter dimensions made it feel more natural to use, particularly when reaching across the screen with one hand. Its wider proportions also make it less awkward to carry in a pocket compared with a taller, more elongated foldable.

Apple may therefore not be the first to embrace the passport-style design. Still, it is reportedly looking to differentiate its foldable iPhone in two key areas: the hinge and the display. These could ultimately be the features that give Apple’s first foldable its edge in an increasingly crowded market.

A premium-quality hinge

As the mechanical backbone of a foldable phone, the hinge plays a crucial role in determining how smoothly the flexible display folds and unfolds. It also controls how the phone holds at different angles while helping to protect the internal components from dust and other contaminants.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims Apple will use liquid metal for the hinge of its first foldable iPhone. The material is reportedly chosen for its ability to improve durability, keep the display flatter when unfolded, and minimise the appearance of crease marks.

The choice of material could give Apple another opportunity to differentiate its foldable from the competition. For comparison, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold uses a combination of multi-alloy steel and aerospace-grade aluminium alloy for its hinge. The Galaxy Z Fold8 is stated to use a highly durable material for its Armor FlexHinge.

Achieving the impossible – invisible crease

Apple may have found a way to solve one of the biggest complaints about foldable phones: the crease. Multiple reports claim that Apple has worked with Samsung Display and Amphenol to develop a foldable display with an almost invisible crease, potentially giving its first foldable iPhone a significant advantage over existing rivals.

The iPhone maker has reportedly been testing several display technologies, including ultra-thin flexible glass (UFG) and optically clear adhesive (OCA). Samsung’s showcase of a crease-less foldable OLED panel at CES 2026 could also be another technology being considered for Apple’s foldable iPhone.

UFG panels can distribute bending stress more evenly across the display, which could help minimise the formation of visible creases over prolonged use. OCA, meanwhile, can help reduce microscopic irregularities between display layers, limiting light scattering and making any remaining crease less noticeable.

If the reports are accurate, Apple could turn one of the most obvious compromises of foldable phones into one of its biggest selling points. Of course, keeping the screen crease-free after thousands of folds is another matter.

Foldable iPhone’s rumoured specs

Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 5- to 6-inch cover display and an 8-inch foldable main display. The device could also pack four cameras: one on the cover display, one on the inner foldable display, and two on the rear.

To keep the foldable iPhone thin, Apple is reportedly opting for Touch ID built into the side button instead of Face ID. The chassis is also rumoured to be made from titanium alloy, although Apple’s decision to switch back to aluminium for the iPhone 17 lineup makes the material choice less certain.

iOS overhaul for the foldable form factor

A new form factor also means Apple will need to rethink how iOS works on a larger, foldable display.

According to Bloomberg, iOS 27 has been optimised with the foldable iPhone in mind, including new productivity-focused features. One of the reported additions is an iPad-like interface that allows two apps to run side by side, making better use of the larger screen when the device is unfolded.

There are already hints that Apple is laying the groundwork for this experience. Following the preview of iOS 27 at WWDC 2026, it was discovered that the update expands landscape-mode support to a wider range of native apps. Landscape mode is hardly new to iOS, but its broader adoption could signal Apple’s intention to make the operating system more flexible for larger displays.

Impact of global memory chip shortage on prices and stock availability

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year, you’ve probably heard about the global memory chip crunch that’s driving up the cost of just about every consumer electronics device. Apple hasn’t been spared either. The company has already raised prices for Macs, iPads and other products worldwide, including in Singapore, as soaring component costs made it unsustainable to continue shielding customers.

The iPhone 18 Pro could be next. One analyst estimates that the new Pro models could cost US$250 to US$300 (approximately S$321 to S$385) more than their current-generation counterparts.

As for the foldable iPhone, a 2025 estimate put its starting price at more than S$3,000. Given the current cost pressures, that figure could end up even higher!

And it’s not just memory chips putting pressure on Apple’s bill of materials. The company is reportedly facing higher costs for camera components and mobile chipsets, adding yet another layer of expense to an already costly iPhone generation.

The supply situation could be just as painful as the price tag. Apple is reportedly struggling to secure sufficient memory chips, which could result in severely limited stocks at launch. In other words, even if you’re willing to stomach the higher prices, getting your hands on an iPhone 18 Pro or foldable iPhone on launch day could be another matter entirely. Miss the first batch, and you could be looking at a weeks-long wait.

Launch event, pre-order and availability

Looking at the US holiday calendar, Apple will likely hold its iPhone launch event on 9 September (Wednesday) – the US is celebrating Labour Day on 7 September. Pre-orders typically open on Friday of the same week, but for this year, that would mean 11 September. Given the significance of the date, it’s likely Apple will choose to start pre-orders a day later on 12 September (Saturday) instead.

Unlike previous years, when Singapore was typically among the first-wave markets for new iPhones, this time could be different. An Australian publication claims Apple’s first foldable iPhone may debut in the US before expanding to other countries, citing supply constraints, production testing, and pricing pressures as the reasons for a staggered rollout.

Consumers outside the US, including those in Singapore, may have to wait weeks or even months before getting their hands on Apple’s first foldable iPhone.