2026 could be the year Apple launches its first foldable smartphone. Reports of such a device have been circulating in the industry for years, but now the evidence is mounting so strongly that the so-called iPhone Fold is hardly considered mere speculation anymore. A growing number of leaks, analyst reports, and supply chain information paint a picture that reveals a clear objective: Apple wants to enter the foldable smartphone market and deliver a device that eliminates the typical weaknesses of foldable smartphones.
Expectations for the iPhone Fold are high. Rumors about display sizes, cameras, hinges, materials, and production status are becoming increasingly concrete. At the same time, several reports indicate that Apple is striving to develop a foldable smartphone that has no noticeable crease and, when unfolded, looks almost like a compact iPad. Although details may still change before the market launch, a fairly clear picture of what Apple is planning is already emerging.
The overall design
The iPhone Fold is expected to function in a book-like style, making it closer to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold than the clamshell design of the Z Flip. Several reliable sources, including Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo, predict that the device will be between 9 and 9.5 millimeters thick when folded and between 4.5 and 4.8 millimeters thin when unfolded. A leaker on Weibo, Instant Digital, adds that it will be at least 4.8 millimeters thick when unfolded.
The display sizes
The iPhone Fold is rumored to have two screens. On the outside, there will be a 5.5-inch display, which will function similarly to a regular iPhone. According to current rumors, its resolution will be 2088 by 1422 pixels. Inside, a 7.8-inch display, similar to an iPad, is expected to appear when the device is unfolded. This larger display is said to have a resolution of 2713 by 1920 pixels and be roughly the size of an A6 sheet of paper. This information comes from several consistent reports.
Visibility of the fold
A major issue with foldable devices remains the visible crease in the center of the display. According to Kuo, Apple has solved this problem with a special metal plate beneath the display that distributes the stress when bending. Furthermore, the hinges are said to be made of liquid metal, manufactured using a die-casting process. This is intended to prevent the crease from becoming ingrained over time. A report by the Chinese website UDN even claims that Apple has completely eliminated the folding issue and that the iPhone Fold will be the first virtually crease-free device on the market.
Housing and hinge
The casing is expected to be made of titanium, while the hinge could be a combination of titanium and stainless steel. Gartner's Jeff Pu also suggests aluminum, but the underlying idea remains that Apple is using a material mix that prevents warping. The titanium alloy has already proven itself in Apple's ultra-thin iPhone Air.
The cameras
The iPhone Fold is rumored to have four cameras. Two of them are said to be on the back, each with 48 megapixels. There will also be a front-facing camera that can be used both when folded and unfolded. Additionally, an internal camera is expected to be integrated, reportedly located under the display. The outer display is said to feature a classic punch-hole camera. This information has been confirmed by several analysts and leakers, including Mark Gurman, Ming-Chi Kuo, and Digital Chat Station.
Touch ID as an authentication method
Apple is reportedly foregoing Face ID on the iPhone Fold. Instead, a Touch ID sensor is said to be integrated into the side button, similar to the iPad Air or iPad mini. This is due to the limited internal space, which is particularly valuable in foldable devices.
The mobile connection
The foldable iPhone is expected to use Apple's own C2 modem, an evolution of the modem series first introduced in the iPhone 16e. This modem is said to support mmWave in the United States and will no longer have a physical SIM card slot. Apple is known to be working on gradually moving away from Qualcomm and developing its own mobile communication solutions.
The question of battery life
Several reports indicate that Apple is using high-density battery cells in the iPhone Fold to pack more capacity into a smaller space. Furthermore, Apple is said to have made internal components like the display driver more efficient to free up additional space for battery modules. The C2 modem is also expected to operate more energy-efficiently. Overall, analysts anticipate that the iPhone Fold will achieve competitive battery life despite its large internal screen.
Limited color options
According to Mark Gurman, Apple is currently only testing two colors: black and white. It's possible that more colors will be added at launch, but that's not certain.
How much will the iPhone Fold cost?
The iPhone Fold will be priced in the premium segment. Analysts currently estimate it could cost between $2,000 and $2,500. Some banks, such as UBS and Fubon Research, are more inclined to expect a price of $1,800 to $2,000, or a fixed price of around $2,399. At the same time, there are indications that Apple has been able to reduce the cost of the hinge, as its average selling price is now around $70 to $80, rather than the expected $100+. However, it remains unclear whether this saving will be reflected in the selling price.
The planned market launch
According to Jeff Pu, the iPhone Fold has been in the new product launch phase at Foxconn since March 2025. In November, it was reported that the device had reached the technical validation phase and Apple was preparing for mass production. Mass production is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with Foxconn reportedly starting production in early October. Mark Gurman anticipates a market launch in the fall of 2026, while Mizuho Securities considers a delay to 2027 possible, as Apple is still working on key design elements such as the hinge.
The iPhone Fold as a new chapter in Apple's product history
The iPhone Fold is likely to be one of the most exciting devices Apple has released in years. With two displays, a nearly crease-free inner screen, robust materials, four cameras, Touch ID, and an in-house cellular modem, the device aims to eliminate the biggest weaknesses of other foldable phones. Even though the price is clearly in the premium segment, the iPhone Fold positions itself as a technological statement and a potential starting point for a new device category within the Apple ecosystem. The industry is looking ahead to the end of 2026, because if Apple sticks to its current timeline, the iPhone Fold could significantly change the market for foldable smartphones. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / hurricanehank)
- Apple will launch four new MacBooks in 2026
- iPhone 17e: More power and modern features at a bargain price
- Siri before relaunch: When will the big AI update be released?
- Apple is preparing to launch AI-based smart glasses
- MacBook innovations 2026: Three models launch at the beginning of the year
- iOS 27 in detail: New services, AI and focus on stability
- Apple in January 2026: These products and updates are coming
- iPad Air 2026: All the information on technology, design and release
- Apple TV 4K: All the rumors about the big 2026 update
- Apple 2026: An overview of all new devices, leaks, and dates
- Apple 2025: How broad and strong the product year was
- iPhone Fold: These features set new standards in the market
- iPad 12: Details on design, hardware, and the planned launch
- iPad mini 8: Big changes for the small Apple tablet
- Apple launches major Mac offensive in 2026 with new chips
- iPhone 18 Pro: How Apple is further developing the Pro series
- Can Apple's A18 budget MacBook compete in the market?
- Apple TV Hits 2026: These are the releases you shouldn't miss
- Apple's AI strategy: Why the crisis is smaller than expected
- iPhone Fold: Why the outer display is much smaller
- Apple Glasses as a technical intermediate step towards AR glasses
- Apple 2026: Up to 25 new products – here's what to expect
- iOS 26.3: Here's what we know about the release date and content
- Apple iPad Roadmap 2026: These models are planned
- AirPods Pro: Apple plans major changes for 2026
