Abstract created by Sensible Solutions AI
In abstract:
- Macworld studies Apple’s folding iPhone is predicted to launch in late 2026 or early 2027, that includes a 7.8-inch inside show and 5.5-inch exterior display screen.
- The machine goals for a very crease-free design utilizing titanium alloy hinges, measuring 9.5mm thick when folded and 4.5mm when unfolded.
- Preliminary manufacturing will probably be restricted as a result of manufacturing complexity, with Samsung Show because the unique OLED provider and Contact ID changing Face ID.
We’ve been reporting on the supposedly imminent launch of a foldable iPhone for years. There have been robust and dependable rumors of a foldable iPhone being simply two years away, courting way back to 2018, not less than. Again then, dependable studies from the likes of CNBC stated Apple was going to have a folding iPhone in the marketplace in 2020.
That grew to become 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025… and now it’s anticipated to land in 2026 on the earliest.
So, whereas the rumors and studies from elements suppliers and analysts are heating up and appear to be extra stable than ever, we might advise much more warning and skepticism than traditional with Apple hypothesis. With that stated, right here’s what present rumors recommend concerning the launch of a folding iPhone.
Replace February 2, 2025: The newest leaks tells us the quantity buttons will probably be on the highest of the fitting facet, and we must always count on a skinny horizontal “plateau” much like the iPhone Air.
Foldable iPhone title: What is going to it’s known as?
Many followers and pundits have gotten into the behavior of referring to the rumored machine because the iFold, which has not less than the benefit of brevity. However there doesn’t appear to be any motive to consider this would be the official title. A extra believable concept, proposed by a UDN report in November 2025, is that it is going to be known as the iPhone Fold.
Anticipated iPhone Fold launch date
In response to a sequence of studies, the main design and specs of Apple’s first folding cellphone have been as a result of be finalized in the course of 2025, with manufacturing focused for late 2026. That might imply a launch in late 2026 or early 2027.
To date, this timeline has been urged by a number of sources in 2024 and 2025, together with The Info, The Wall Avenue Journal, and analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman. A November 2025 report citing supply-chain sources additionally supported this timeline, claiming the iPhone Fold was about to enter mass manufacturing and was on monitor for a launch in 2026.
The cellphone is predicted to be complicated and costly to fabricate, so manufacturing quantity will probably be very restricted at first. A second mannequin in late 2027 ought to see increased manufacturing numbers.
Gurman reported in July 2025 that Apple will give attention to options for the folding iPhone in iOS 27, which will probably be launched within the fall of 2026.
In a report by ChosunBiz in South Korea, Samsung Show president Lee Cheong introduced that it’s making “preparations for mass manufacturing of OLED for foldable telephones to be provided to a North American shopper.” In a while within the article, the reporter states that “Samsung Show is thought to be the unique provider of OLED to be put in in Apple’s foldable cellphone to be launched subsequent yr.”
Foldable iPhone design
In 2024, The Info reported that Apple had made a few prototype “clamshell” flip-phone designs, the place the highest and backside of the cellphone fold to fulfill. More moderen rumors in 2025 from Digital Chat Station on Weibo and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recommend a “ebook” type fold, with a vertical fold because the left and proper sides come collectively. It is a comparable type to the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold.
The folding iPhone might be an analogous measurement to the Pixel 9 Professional Fold.
Luke Baker
The hinge is predicted to be certainly one of its most unusual options. Some studies have urged it is going to be product of a titanium alloy, whereas analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported in March 2025 that Apple is exploring using LiquidMetal for “sturdiness, enhancing display screen flatness, and minimizing crease marks” within the display screen. Apple has obtained a number of patents for hinge designs, and it’s unclear which the corporate will use within the remaining design.
On July 14, Kuo reported that Apple had found out the way to do away with the fold crease by utilizing metallic plates to assist “distribute and management bending stress.”
A leak from Weibo account On the spot Digital firstly of February says the quantity buttons will probably be on the highest edge, aligned proper. On the again will probably be two cameras on a protracted skinny “plateau” much like the iPhone Air, solely black reasonably than color-matched to the cellphone physique.
Folding iPhone show particulars
Ming-Chi Kuo has additionally reported on the folding iPhone’s set of proposed design particulars. He says the book-style iPhone can have a 7.8-inch inside show when unfolded, and a 5.5-inch outer show. Kuo says Apple received’t be glad till the cellphone’s show is totally crease-free when opened.
In July, TrendForce made the identical prediction, reporting that the folding iPhone would characteristic a 7.8-inch inside and 5.5-inch exterior show. A later report from The Info put the display screen sizes at 7.7 inches inside and 5.3 inches exterior.
The folding cellphone is claimed to be at most 9.5mm thick when folded and 4.5mm when unfolded. For comparability, an iPhone 16 Professional Max is 8.5mm thick, and the thinnest iPhone of all time is the iPhone Air at 5.6mm.
Folding iPhone rumored specs: chip, cameras & options
We don’t know what processor the folding iPhone will include, but when it launches in 2026 as rumored, it is going to most likely characteristic an A20 or A20 Professional—some variant of the processor discovered within the iPhone 18.
We count on most iPhones to make use of Apple’s personal mobile modem and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chips by that point as properly. They could even be built-in into the principle system-on-chip.
The folding iPhone will reportedly have a Contact ID-enabled energy button reasonably than Face ID.
IDG
Because of the very skinny nature of the foldable iPhone, and the necessity for various front-facing cameras when folded up or unfolded, it is going to reportedly lack Face ID. As a substitute, Contact ID will probably be integrated into the facet button a lot as it’s on the iPad Air’s energy button.
There’ll reportedly be two rear cameras (probably a regular large and ultrawide) and two front-facing cameras, one for when the iPhone is closed and one for when it’s open.
Folding iPhone: Value
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