Apple first foldable iPhone will only use eSIM technology, says well-known Chinese leaker who posted on Weibo today.
“It’s highly likely that the foldable iPhone will come without a SIM card slot, supporting eSIM only,” said leaker Instant Digital, agreeing with earlier predictions from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Apple is widely expected to unveil the “iPhone Fold” sometime late next year or early 2027. The device is rumored to boast a 5.5-inch outer display, opening up in a book-style design that features a roughly 7.8-inch inner screen. The device has been described as “super thin,” and Gurman compares it to “two titanium iPhone Airs side by side.” That means internal space will be at a premium.
This could cause issues for Apple in mainland China, as users there strongly prefer physical SIM activation and dual-SIM slots, due to the country’s culture of fast resales and device trials. An eSIM-only foldable would rely on carrier provisioning.
The foldable iPhone, which is expected to sell for somewhere between $2,000 and $2,500 in the United States, which would make it the most expensive iPhone ever.
