By Ian Werther in News — 13 Mar 2026

Apple Foldable iPhone Could Cost Near Twice the 17 Pro Max

Reports out of South Korea indicate Apple’s foldable iPhone could carry a price well above expectations, potentially near twice the price of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The disclosures come from MacRumors, which cited leaks on storage options and pricing.

According to the Chinese tech tipster Instant Digital, the foldable iPhone would be offered in three storage tiers: 256GB priced at 15,999 yuan, 512GB at 17,999 yuan, and 1TB at 19,999 yuan. The article notes these translate to roughly 3.46 million won, 3.90 million won, and 4.33 million won, respectively. If accurate, the entry point would be markedly higher than the current premium model line.

Iphones - models 6, 7, 8 and SE2 - stacked for comparison. These models have nearly identical case shape and dimensions. View of the back side top section, showing: camera, microphone hole, dual-tone LED illuminator. 6 and 7 have aluminium backs whilst 8 and SE have glass. iPhone 6 is "space grey" colour, others are black or "midnight". The SE 2nd gen is new out of box and still has protective shipping wrapper attached; others are used and showing some wear. — Representative image for context; not directly related to the specific event in this article. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Instant Digital reportedly has a record for predicting certain Apple details with reasonable accuracy in the past, including the yellow color option for the iPhone 14 and the base storage choice for the iPhone 17 Pro. Still, the latest prices remain unconfirmed by Apple.

Separately, a domestic South Korean outlet cited rumors that the foldable iPhone would incorporate 12GB of RAM supplied by Samsung Electronics, with Samsung expected to begin DRAM supply in the second quarter. This underscores a likely dependency on Samsung for essential memory components if the foldable model goes into volume production.

iPhones - models 6, 7, 8 and SE3 - stacked for comparison. These models have nearly identical case shape and dimensions. View of the bottom edges: Lightning port, speaker holes, and 5-point screws (plus headphone jack on iPhone 6). iPhone 6 is "space grey" colour, others are black or "midnight". The SE 3rd-gen is new out of box, others are used and showing some wear. IMEI has been intentionally obscured in post-processing. — Representative image for context; not directly related to the specific event in this article. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Apple is anticipated to launch the foldable iPhone in September, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, according to in-house rumors. If so, the device would join Apple’s fall lineup in a year already shaping up as competitive in the premium smartphone segment.

Why this matters to U.S. readers: a folding iPhone positioned at a higher price point would influence pricing expectations in the premium smartphone market and could affect consumer demand in the United States. The potential reliance on Samsung memory components highlights ongoing supply-chain considerations for U.S.-based manufacturers and partners, including DRAM pricing and availability that ripple through consumer electronics and data-center equipment. In a broader sense, the developments illustrate how memory supply dynamics and premium-device strategy influence technology markets and investment sentiment in the United States. As ever, U.S. consumers and policymakers will be watching whether Apple’s foldable ambitions reshape the high-end smartphone market or alter the balance of supplier relationships in semiconductors.

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