MING-CHI KUO CASTS DOUBT ON KEY RUMORS SURROUNDING APPLE'S FOLDABLE IPHONE, SAYS DEVICE 'UNLIKELY' TO FEATURE EXPECTED TECHNOLOGY

The highly anticipated foldable iPhone, expected to arrive in 2026, has been the subject of a steady stream of leaks and speculation.

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But this week, respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo poured cold water on one of the most persistent rumors: that Apple's first foldable will debut with a highly advanced under-display technology. According to Kuo, the company is unlikely to include the feature in the first-generation device, tempering expectations for what could be one of Apple's boldest hardware bets in years.

A SKEPTICAL TAKE ON THE RUMORS

Over the past year, supply chain chatter has pointed to Apple’s foldable iPhone featuring an under-display front-facing camera and Touch ID sensor, allowing for a cleaner, uninterrupted display. These rumors aligned with Apple's long-term goal of eliminating the notch and Dynamic Island in favor of a seamless design.

But in his latest research note, Kuo cautioned that such features are unlikely to arrive in the first foldable iPhone, citing technological challenges and Apple's reputation for delaying new technologies until they can be implemented at scale without compromising user experience. “The probability of Apple adopting an under-display camera or fingerprint system in its first foldable iPhone is low,” Kuo wrote.

Instead, Kuo expects the first-generation foldable to focus on durability, battery performance, and software optimization, arguing that Apple’s priority will be to establish credibility in a category where consumer skepticism remains high.