New reports from reliable Chinese sources suggest that Apple plans to launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026 without a physical SIM card tray and exclusively with eSIM support.
This decision is similar to Apple’s approach with the iPhone Air, which was offered globally without a physical SIM card, helping to reduce the thickness and weight of the device.
According to famous Chinese leaker Instant Digital on the Weibo platform, removing the physical SIM card frees up internal space on the device and allows for improvements such as a larger battery, a stronger hinge mechanism, or better thermal management.
However, this change brings limitations such as limited SIM support in some regions and difficulty in quickly swapping SIM cards.
In the key market of China, Apple will have to work more closely with carriers like China Mobile, China Telecom to enable eSIM, where users are accustomed to physical SIM cards due to the culture of buying and selling devices quickly.
The experience of launching the iPhone Air shows that users even in China prefer a lighter and thinner design, and this will not be a serious obstacle to selling the iPhone Qataki.
This premium product, priced at approximately $2,400, will be limited to 9 million units per year (first year) and will feature unique specifications including a 7.74-inch crease-free internal display, A20 Pro chip, dual 48-megapixel cameras, a 5,400-5,800 mAh battery, and an iPad mini-like user experience when unfolded. It will be introduced in September 2026, along with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max series.
This rumor is consistent with previous reports from analysts like Ming Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman and could help accelerate global eSIM adoption, although it could pose challenges for users in developing markets.
