If you’re planning to buy Apple‘s first foldable phone—AKA iPhone Ultra—when it drops, you might want to start saving up for the repair bills right now. Industry experts are warning that replacing the inner display on the long-rumored device could cost more than half of its expected purchase price.
According to Ricky Panesar, founder of London-based repair firm iCorrect, swapping out a broken inner screen on Apple’s foldable could run around £850, or roughly $1,155. Speaking with Forbes, Panesar noted that the foldable iPhone repair cost screen replacement estimate would mark the highest repair fee Apple has ever charged for a handheld device.
Why fixing Apple’s screen will cost more than Samsung’s
Let’s put that $1,155 price tag into perspective. Replacing the inner screen on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 costs around $579. Meanwhile, the previous Z Fold 7 ran about $449 (via NotebookCheck). That means an out-of-warranty fix on Apple’s foldable could end up costing over 43% more than Samsung’s flagship foldable.
Part of the price gap comes down to supply chain economics. Apple is expected to source its folding display panels directly from Samsung Display. Because Apple has to pay a supplier margin that Samsung’s mobile division avoids, those extra costs inevitably trickle down to the consumer.
On top of that, Apple is reportedly developing custom hardware for the device. This includes a specialized liquid metal hinge built to reduce screen creasing. As the inner screen and the hinge mechanism operate as an integrated assembly, technicians have to dismantle almost the entire phone to replace the display. This drives up labor complexity.
Independent shops won’t save you at launch
If you were hoping to skip Apple’s official service counter and take your broken device to a local repair shop, you’re out of luck. Panesar warns that independent repairers won’t have experience with Apple’s new hinge mechanics or its power-button Touch ID setup. This means third-party shops won’t be able to undercut official Apple pricing during the phone’s early months.
That makes AppleCare+ practically essential. Standard screen fixes usually carry a $29 deductible under AppleCare+. However, Panesar expects per-incident fees for a foldable inner screen to jump closer to $136, treating the complex panel as major accidental damage rather than a simple glass repair.
Launching at the “Surprise and Shine” event
Apple will reportedly unveil its first foldable handset at its “Surprise and Shine” keynote event on September 9. The event will stream live across Apple’s website and YouTube.
Rumored to start between $2,000 and $2,500, the handset is slated to run iOS 27. The software would be explicitly customized for dual-screen and foldable layouts. However, while the official unveiling is set for September, reports suggest actual store availability might not follow until October. This gives buyers a little extra time to budget for both the phone and its insurance policy.
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