Apple has not confirmed a foldable iPhone, its biometric system or its price. The claim that it could drop Face ID and cost $2,500 or more came from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s reported forecast in March 2025—not an Apple announcement. Later reporting gave a lower, still unconfirmed starting-price estimate of $1,999.
Would Apple’s foldable iPhone have Face ID?
Kuo’s reported prediction was that Apple might omit Face ID because a slim foldable design could leave too little room for its components. He expected Touch ID built into a side button to take its place. MacRumors also attributed this design expectation to Kuo in its March 2025 coverage. Neither report establishes what Apple will ultimately build.
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In practical terms, the forecast describes a change in how a user might authenticate: fingerprint recognition through the side button rather than facial recognition. It is not evidence that a particular iPhone model has been announced or that Apple has finalized this choice.
Where did the $2,500 price claim come from?
HotHardware’s March 6, 2025 article reported Kuo’s expectation that the device could cost more than $2,000, with a starting price potentially reaching or exceeding $2,500. That was an analyst estimate, not an announced Apple retail price. HotHardware’s March 2025 report and MacRumors’ contemporaneous summary both attribute the price expectation to Kuo.
#1 Best Overall
- SPLIT THE VIEW. MULTITASK¹ TO THE MAX: Productivity never felt this powerful. Use up to three apps¹ at once on the expansive inner screen of Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. You’ll enjoy plenty of space to work, play, connect and more.
- MULTITASKING MADE SMARTER WITH AI: Stay one step ahead with AI² that suggests which apps you might need next. Then view those multiple windows side by side on the large screen of your Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.
- ANY SHOT, ALL THE DETAILS: Dive into the details of any image with our best camera on a foldable smartphone. Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra boasts a 200MP camera — and an upgraded 50MP Ultra Wide lens — for both stunning wide shots and extreme close-ups.
- ELITE CHIPSET. FLUID GRAPHICS: Experience what’s possible with our most advanced Galaxy Z Series processor. From immersive gaming and speedy multitasking to the latest Galaxy AI³ features, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 keeps everything running seamlessly.
- THE BATTERY YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR: It’s the battery you’ve been wanting in a foldable cell phone. Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra packs a powerful ultra-sized⁴ battery in an ultra-slim design. Plus, with Super Fast Charging 2.0⁵, charge up faster than ever before.
A later Tom’s Guide report, published September 28, 2026, gave a reported starting price of $1,999 for a device it called iPhone Duo. That is a separate, later estimate—not confirmation that Apple set the price, and not a revision that makes the earlier forecast an actual price. MacRumors’ September 9, 2026 roundup still described reported expectations in a $2,000–$2,500 range. These reports reflect uncertainty in rumor coverage, not a published Apple price list.
What design and release timing were forecast?
The March 2025 reporting described a book-style foldable with an inner display of approximately 7.8 inches and an outer display of approximately 5.5 inches. Those are forecast dimensions attributed to Kuo, not confirmed specifications. The same reporting projected a possible release in late 2026 or early 2027; that timing was also a forecast. MacRumors’ September 2026 roundup covers later reported expectations, but remains a roundup of rumors rather than an Apple specification sheet.
Rank #2
- 7.6", Foldable OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1450 nits (peak), 1840 x 2208 pixels, Cover display: 5.8" OLED, 120Hz, HDR,1080 x 2092 pixels, 17.4:9 ratio, 408ppi, 1200 nits (HBM), 1550 nits (peak)
- 256GB 12GB RAM, Octa-core, Google Tensor G2 (5nm), Mali-G710 MP7, Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, 4821mAh Battery, IPX8 water resistant
- Rear Camera: 48MP, f/1.7 + 10.8MP, f/3.1 (telephoto) + 10.8MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), Front Camera: 8MP, f/2.0, Cover camera: 9.5MP, f/2.2
- 2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, CDMA 800/1700/1900, 3G: HSDPA 800/850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/42/46/48/66/71 5G: 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/28/30/38/40/41/48/66/71/77/78/79/257/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Nano-SIM and eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
How to read the changing estimates
- Biometrics: Side-button Touch ID instead of Face ID is Kuo’s reported prediction, with thinness and internal space given as the rationale.
- Price: The $2,500-or-more figure belongs to a March 2025 forecast; the $1,999 starting figure appeared in later September 2026 reporting.
- Screen and schedule: The approximate display sizes and late-2026/early-2027 timing were forecasts, not confirmed product details.
- Product status: Apple’s official iPhone overview does not substantiate these foldable-specific claims.
For financial planning, treat any potential price as uncertain until Apple publishes a model, regional pricing and availability. The reports do not establish final specifications, hands-on performance or durability, so they are not a sound basis for comparing a real Apple product with currently available phones.
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How it compares with other foldables
Tom’s Guide discusses Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 as a comparison in the broad book-style foldable category. That comparison can help explain the type of device being rumored, but it provides no evidence about Apple’s eventual design, price or launch plans. Tom’s Guide’s comparison reports the iPhone Duo price estimate; it should be read as secondary coverage, not an Apple announcement.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Designed for Gemini Intelligence, brighter screens, and a more durable design, the new Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold delivers eye-opening performance and makes multitasking effortless[1,2,3]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan: Works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers[4]
- As stunning as it is strong: Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s ultra-durable composite back is lighter, stronger, and designed to be nearly impossible to crack[5,6]; and with scratch-resistant glass and an all-new hinge, it’s 3x stronger[5]
- Unfold the fun: Drift away into immersive entertainment on the brighter-than-ever 8-inch screen[2]; take it into tabletop mode for hands-free streaming of your favorite content
- Stay informed without looking at your screen: When your phone is face down, Pixel HiLight gently alerts you with subtle glowing lights when your favorite contacts are calling or you’re talking with Gemini; exclusive to Google Pixel 11 Pro phones
Rank #3
- CREATED FOR YOUR CONTENT: Any way you turn it, the new Galaxy Z Fold8 gives you a fuller viewing experience. Designed with your content in mind, this foldable phone is the perfect size to make your movies, books and more incredibly immersive.
- WORLD’S LIGHTEST FOLD¹: Galaxy Z Fold8 is the newest foldable phone for content on the go. Unfolded, it fits movies and books for an immersive experience. Folded, it delivers comfortable texting and everyday use — all on the world’s lightest fold.¹
- THE BRIGHTEST DISPLAY ON A GALAXY PHONE: Our brightest smartphone display² provides you with a comfortable view, whether you’re inside or outside. Watch movies, play games and scroll with ease no matter where you are.
- RECORD. REFRAME. READY FOR SOCIAL³: Record content on Galaxy Z Fold8 and then use My FanCam³ to keep your subject center stage. The result is a social-ready video that focuses on the part of the action you really want.
- UNTETHER YOUR ENTERTAINMENT: The long-lasting battery of Galaxy Z Fold8 is built to power hours of entertainment. And when you do need to recharge, Super Fast Charging 2.0⁴ gets you back to what you love quickly.
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