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[News] Apple Foldable Screen Repair Could Top $1,155, Nearly Twice Galaxy Z Fold 8


2026-08-28 Consumer Electronics editor

Apple’s first foldable iPhone could come with an unusually high repair bill. According to Forbes, Ricky Panesar, founder of repair specialist iCorrect.co.uk, estimates that an inner-screen replacement could cost around £850 ($1,155) or more, potentially making it Apple’s most expensive handheld-device repair. By comparison, replacing the inner display on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 costs £594, including its new crease-reducing Flex Titanium technology, while the same repair for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 costs £569, the report adds.

The potential cost gap partly reflects differences in the two companies’ supply chains and designs. Samsung sources display modules from its own Samsung Display unit, making replacement parts easier and cheaper to obtain. Apple, meanwhile, is expected to use Samsung Display panels alongside a proprietary 3D-printed hinge that has yet to be widely tested by repair technicians or consumers.

Higher component costs could also have implications for AppleCare+. Panesar cautions that the service may not offer the same repair economics as for conventional iPhones. Per-incident repairs have historically cost as little as £29, but he expects iPhone Fold repairs could approach £100 per incident. Apple could also reconsider its unlimited-repair coverage given the higher cost of replacing foldable displays.

Against this backdrop, Forbes suggests Apple’s new iPhone leasing program, starting at $17.99 per month, may become more attractive given the rumored pricing of the iPhone 18 lineup and potentially steep iPhone Fold repair costs.

Apple Foldable Could Top $2,000, Reportedly Skip Telephoto Camera

More details are emerging about what Apple’s first foldable could offer. Dong-A Ilbo, citing Bloomberg, reports that the device will likely adopt a book-style design similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold. Early testers reportedly praised its portability, hinge durability, iPad-like app layout when unfolded, and larger display that can serve as a camera viewfinder. However, Apple is said to have dropped some traditional iPhone features to make the device thinner and more portable. The rear camera system reportedly includes a 48MP main camera and an ultrawide lens, but no telephoto camera for optical zoom.

That trade-off could matter given the device’s expected price of more than $2,000. Industry observers cited by The Dong-A Ilbo suggest its high price and lack of a telephoto camera could weigh on sales in China, which accounts for more than half of the global foldable smartphone market.

The launch could be just weeks away. Reuters reports that Apple has scheduled its fall product event for September 9, when it is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone alongside the new iPhone lineup. The device is expected to go on sale later that month.

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(Photo credit: FREEPIK)

Please note that this article cites information from ForbesDong-A Ilbo, Bloomberg, and Reuters.


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