Apple has yet to confirm plans for a foldable iPhone model, yet speculation from industry experts, supply chain observers, and insiders persists unabated. In recent months, these sources have outlined potential features and a possible launch timeline for Apple's entry into the folding smartphone category. Indications largely suggest an introduction in the latter part of 2026, although developments could alter this course.
As with any forthcoming Apple product, all information remains unverified. Strategies may evolve, specifications could be adjusted, and schedules might extend. Nevertheless, the steady stream of reliable insights offers a clearer picture of the anticipated foldable iPhone's form and capabilities.
This summary compiles the most trustworthy reports available, with plans to revise as fresh information surfaces.
Whispers of an Apple foldable device first emerged in 2017, but contemporary analyses indicate the company has now identified a feasible rollout period. A majority of informants anticipate an autumn 2026 release, potentially coinciding with the iPhone 18 series.
Journalist Mark Gurman has revised his predictions, first proposing a 2026 introduction, then specifying shipments by year's end with major sales in 2027. Similarly, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has consistently referenced the latter half of 2026 as the aimed-for period.
Certain accounts warn of a possible delay to 2027 should production or robustness challenges arise, especially concerning the folding mechanism or screen integrity. Apple's track record of postponing imperfect launches makes this a plausible scenario.
prevailing views indicate Apple favors an outward-folding, book-like configuration, akin to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold lineup, over a compact flip variant.
In its open state, the device is projected to mimic a compact tablet such as the 8.3-inch iPad mini, though leaks hint at a slightly more compact inner screen of approximately 7.7 to 7.8 inches. Folded, it would operate as a typical smartphone with an external screen around 5.5 inches.
Design schematics and purported protective case prototypes imply a more compact height and broader width in the closed position compared to regular iPhones, yielding a more square-like profile aligned with the inner screen's proportions. Observations also link the iPhone Air's slim profile to foreshadowing elements of the foldable's structure, suggesting each section might echo that slender build.
Should this hold true, it aligns with projected measurements: about 4.5 to 5.6 millimeters thick when extended, comparable to the iPhone Air, and roughly 9 to 11 millimeters when compact, varying by hinge configuration and component stacking.
The screen represents a major hurdle for folding devices, and Apple seems to have dedicated significant effort to this aspect over several years.
Various accounts point to Samsung Display as the key provider. During CES 2026, Samsung presented an advanced foldable OLED without a visible fold line, which outlets like Bloomberg link to the tech Apple intends to adopt.
These panels integrate a bendable OLED layer with a perforated metal backing that distributes folding tension. The aim is a screen with minimal visible folding marks, a prerequisite Apple views as critical for market entry.
Adopting such technology would surpass existing foldables, where fold lines remain noticeable in some lights.
Imaging details indicate a quad-camera array, possibly comprising: two back lenses (primary and wide-angle, each at 48 megapixels), a front-facing punch-hole on the exterior screen, and a concealed camera within the larger display.
Reports suggest Apple will forgo Face ID on this model, opting instead for a power-button-integrated Touch ID, akin to newer iPads, to maintain uninterrupted screen real estate without interruptions like notches or pill-shaped cutouts.
While hidden cameras have traditionally compromised photo quality, a projected 24-megapixel unit would advance beyond the subpar resolutions common in rival foldables.
The folding joint may set Apple apart, with sources indicating the use of Liquidmetal, Apple's established amorphous metal alloy previously applied in minor parts. Though sometimes called liquid metal in leaks, Liquidmetal is the official term Apple employs.
This material purportedly offers superior strength and shape retention over titanium at a comparable weight, potentially enhancing endurance and safeguarding the screen from repeated flexing.
Designer Jon Prosser's disclosures mention a supportive metal layer under the screen that coordinates with the hinge to reduce fold visibility, corroborating details from East Asian manufacturing channels.
Power capacity could distinguish the device further. Ming-Chi Kuo and regional supply reports note trials of dense cells between 5,000 and 5,800 milliamp-hours.
This would eclipse any prior iPhone battery size, matching or exceeding those in leading Android foldables. Expectation also includes an upcoming A-series processor and Apple's proprietary cellular chip.
Affordability won't be a strong suit. Consensus holds that this would rank as Apple's priciest iPhone to date.
Projections peg the U.S. starting price from $2,000 to $2,500. Bloomberg cites a floor of $2,000, with others refining it to $2,100 through $2,300, situating it beyond the Pro Max tier and nearer to premium Macs and iPads.
Even after extensive buzz, numerous elements stay ambiguous. No official endorsement exists for the iPhone Fold moniker, precise sizes, interface innovations, or iOS modifications for foldable use. Questions linger on resilience, serviceability, and sustained performance. Ultimately, Apple appears deliberate, leaving room for revisions prior to any unveiling.