**Apple's first foldable iPhone—widely expected as a premium "iPhone Ultra" or "iPhone Fold" with a book-style design, large inner display around 7.8 inches, and advanced hinge technology—remains on track for a 2026 launch according to the prevailing supply-chain and analyst reports.** Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reaffirmed in April 2026 that the device is slated for a September introduction alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, countering earlier Nikkei Asia reports of engineering hurdles that could push shipments into 2027. Recent leaker commentary, including from Fixed Focus Digital, has dismissed fresh delay speculation as overstated, reinforcing trader views that a 2026 release is the base case. Supporting details include analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's earlier production timeline signals and consistent mentions of fall 2026 manufacturing ramps, even if initial shipments slip modestly into late 2026 or December. Historical precedent for Apple's careful iteration on new form factors, combined with competitive pressure from Samsung and others, further underpins the market-implied odds near 81% for a pre-2027 debut. Key near-term catalysts include any WWDC 2026 hints and the September hardware event, where confirmation or minor timeline adjustments could move sentiment. While engineering challenges around hinges, displays, and supply remain real risks that could still cause slippage, the weight of credible reporting favors completion within 2026.