Apple plans to enter the foldable phone market with its first foldable iPhone, and multiple credible sources now point to a 2026 launch window. After years of rumors, reports from Bloomberg, supply chain analysts, and industry insiders suggest that development has moved beyond early prototypes and into advanced production stages.
Most reports refer to the device as the “iPhone Fold,” a name widely adopted by the media. While Apple has not confirmed the product, details about its design, display, hinge, cameras, and pricing have surfaced through analysts such as Ming-Chi Kuo, Mark Gurman, Jeff Pu, and several supply chain publications.
Table of contents
Below is a complete breakdown of everything we know so far about Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
Book-Style Folding Design
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple’s foldable iPhone will use a book-style folding mechanism similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. This means the device will open horizontally, like a book, rather than flip vertically, like the Galaxy Z Flip.
Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the device to measure:
- 9 to 9.5 mm thick when folded
- 4.5 to 4.8 mm thick when unfolded
More recently, Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital stated that the unfolded thickness will be at least 4.8 mm.
Reports also describe button placement in detail. The volume buttons will sit on the top edge aligned to the right, similar to the iPad mini. The power button and Camera Control will remain on the right edge, consistent with recent iPhone models. On the back, Apple is reportedly using an iPhone Air-style camera plateau positioned on the left.
Dual Display Setup
The foldable iPhone will feature two displays. When folded, users will interact with a standard outer screen. When unfolded, the device transforms into a larger tablet-style display.
Most reports suggest:
- Outer display: 5.5 inches
- Inner display: 7.8 inches
However, The Information claims slightly different measurements:
- Front display: 5.3 inches
- Inner display: 7.7 inches
One rumor states that the inner display will measure close to the size of an A6 paper sheet and will feature a resolution of 2,713 x 1,920. The outer display is expected to use a 2,088 x 1,422 resolution.
Apple is reportedly testing a tougher display film technology that uses a transparent polyimide layer placed over ultra-thin glass. This protective layer aims to improve durability and reduce wear over repeated folding cycles.
Crease-Free Display Technology
One of the biggest challenges in foldable phones is the visible crease at the center of the display. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans to solve this issue using a metal plate that disperses and controls stress during folding.
Kuo also reports that Apple will use liquid metal in the hinge mechanism. The company will manufacture the hinge using a die-casting process to improve durability and reduce screen creasing.
Chinese publication UDN claims that Apple has solved the crease problem entirely and that the foldable iPhone will become the first crease-free foldable smartphone on the market. If accurate, this would give Apple a strong advantage over existing foldable devices.
Titanium Chassis and Reinforced Hinge
Durability appears to be a key focus. Kuo reports that the foldable iPhone will use a titanium chassis, while the hinge will combine titanium and stainless steel.
The titanium alloy frame aims to prevent bending issues, similar to Apple’s approach with the ultra-thin iPhone Air. However, analyst Jeff Pu believes Apple may use a mix of aluminum and titanium instead of stainless steel.
Regardless of the exact combination, reports agree that Apple prioritizes structural strength and long-term reliability.
Four-Camera System
Camera details have become clearer in recent months. Ming-Chi Kuo reports that the foldable iPhone will include:
- Dual-lens rear camera system
- Front-facing camera usable in folded and unfolded states
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman corroborates this and states the device will feature four cameras:
- One front camera
- One inner camera
- Two rear cameras
Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station claims the two rear cameras will each use 48-megapixel sensors.
Some sources say the inner display will feature an under-screen camera, while the outer display will use a punch-hole design. The Information adds that the outer camera will sit in the top-left corner of the screen.
Touch ID Returns
Kuo reports that Apple will skip Face ID in the foldable iPhone to save internal space. Instead, Apple will use a Touch ID sensor integrated into the side button. Mark Gurman has also supported this claim.
Apple already uses side-mounted Touch ID in the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini, so the technology is well established within its ecosystem.
C2 Modem and Connectivity
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the foldable iPhone will use Apple’s second-generation C2 modem. Apple introduced its first custom C1 modem in the iPhone 16e, followed by the C1X in the iPhone Air.
The C2 modem is expected to deliver:
- Faster overall speeds
- Improved power efficiency
- mmWave support in the United States
Gurman also reports that the foldable iPhone will not include a physical SIM slot.
Largest iPhone Battery Yet
Reports suggest the foldable iPhone will include the largest battery ever used in an iPhone. A Korean blog with a history of accurate leaks states that Apple is slimming internal components, including the display driver, to create more room for battery cells.
The device will reportedly use high-density battery cells to increase capacity without adding bulk. Combined with the efficiency gains from the C2 modem, Apple aims to deliver strong battery life despite the dual-display design.
Color Options in Testing
Mark Gurman reports that Apple currently tests only black and white versions of the foldable iPhone. However, Apple often expands color options closer to launch, so this detail may evolve.
Premium Pricing Strategy
Multiple reports place the foldable iPhone in the premium price segment. Expected pricing ranges include:
- $1,800 to $2,000 according to UBS analysts
- Around $2,399 according to Fubon Research
- $2,000 to $2,500 according to broader industry reports
Ming-Chi Kuo recently stated that the hinge component will cost around $70 to $80 during mass production, lower than earlier estimates of $100 to $120. He attributes this reduction to “assembly design optimization” and Foxconn’s scaling capabilities.
Even if hinge costs fall, the retail price will likely remain high, making it the most expensive iPhone ever released.
Production Timeline and Launch Window
Jeff Pu reports that the device entered the New Product Introduction phase at Foxconn in March 2025. UDN later reported that Apple moved into the engineering validation stage and is preparing for mass production.
Key production details include:
- Mass production planned for the second half of 2026
- Foxconn expected to begin official production in the fourth quarter
- Apple reportedly stockpiling components for pre-production
Mark Gurman expects a fall launch this year, while Japan’s Mizuho Securities suggests a possible delay to 2027 if Apple requires more time to finalize hinge and design decisions.
Summary
All current reports suggest Apple is close to launching its first foldable iPhone in 2026. The device combines a book-style design, dual displays, advanced hinge engineering, and premium materials such as titanium. Analysts agree that Apple is focusing heavily on eliminating display creases and improving durability.
If Apple delivers on these expectations, the iPhone Fold will enter the market as a high-end device aimed at loyal customers who want the latest hardware innovation. The price will sit at the top of the smartphone market, but the company appears confident that demand will follow.
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I will never buy another Apple product. I’m through with Apple.