Repairing the First Foldable iPhone Could Cost Over $1,000

Apple is preparing to unveil its first foldable smartphone, which is expected to carry a starting price of around $2,000 (€1,803). However, experts warn that the purchase price is just the beginning: repairing the foldable screen could become the most expensive service procedure in the company’s history.

The Cost of Foldable Screen Replacement

Ricky Panesar, founder of London-based repair center iCorrect, estimated in a forecast for Forbes that replacing the internal flexible screen could cost £850 (approximately $1,155 / €1,042). For comparison, a similar repair for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 costs $579 (€522), while the previous Z Fold 7 model costs $449 (€405).

The projected repair cost from Apple is roughly 43% higher than the competition, equating to 58% of the device’s suggested retail price. The high cost is attributed to Apple’s plan to source panels from Samsung Display, which includes a supplier markup.

Challenges with AppleCare+

AppleCare+ policies may change for the new foldable device. While Apple typically charges a $29 (€26) deductible for screen replacements, Panesar expects the incident fee for the foldable model to rise to around £100 ($136 / €123). There is also a high probability that the company will revise its unlimited repair policy.

Repair Complexity and Design

Independent repair shops are unlikely to offer better rates in the months following the launch. The hinge and internal display are integrated into a single assembly, requiring almost complete disassembly of the device for repairs. Teardowns of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 revealed low repairability, scoring just 4 out of 10 by iFixit. Furthermore, the Touch ID module is expected to be significantly more difficult to restore than Face ID.

Foldable Apple iPhone Release Date

The device is expected to be unveiled at the “Surprise and Shine” event at Apple Park in Cupertino. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 AM PT (7:00 PM Kyiv time). The device will likely run on iOS 27, the first system to support specific foldable functionality, with a tentative retail launch in October.