Apple iPhone Fold: What is known so far
According to several rumors and credible sources, Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year. Rumors about the long-awaited Apple iPhone Fold have been circulating for years, but increasingly, evidence suggests that 2026 could indeed be the year Apple releases its first foldable device.
Below, we’ve compiled an updated list of the key details that have leaked so far about the Apple iPhone Fold.
Apple iPhone Fold Design
According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the Apple iPhone Fold’s design is similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, which folds like a book, unlike the flip design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the foldable iPhone to be between 9 and 9.5 mm thick when folded and about 4.5 to 4.8 mm thick when unfolded. Tipster Instant Digital from the Chinese Weibo network recently stated that the foldable iPhone will be at least 4.8 mm thick.
Display Sizes
When folded, the Apple iPhone Fold offers a 5.5-inch external display, similar to a typical iPhone screen. Unfolded, it measures 7.8 inches. The internal display is said to be virtually crease-free thanks to a metal plate used by Apple that distributes and controls the stresses created when bending. These details have been confirmed by two reputable sources. According to one rumor, the inner foldable display will be about the size of an A6 sheet of paper and offer a resolution of 2,713 x 1,920 pixels, while the outer display will have a resolution of 2,088 x 1,422 pixels.
Body and Hinge Material
According to Kuo, the Apple iPhone Fold will have a titanium case, with the hinge made from a combination of titanium and stainless steel. Apple is reportedly using liquid metal in the hinges to improve durability and prevent creasing on the display. Liquid metal, manufactured using a die-casting process, was chosen by Apple, according to the analyst, to solve these two common problems with foldable devices.
The frame itself is made of a titanium alloy to prevent bending—a solution that has proven successful in the new, ultra-thin iPhone Air. Analyst Jeff Pu, on the other hand, believes that Apple will use aluminum and titanium, while Kuo expects a blend of stainless steel and titanium.
Cameras
According to Kuo, the Apple iPhone Fold will have a dual rear camera and a front-facing camera that works both when folded and unfolded. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg recently confirmed reports that the device will have four cameras: a front-facing camera, an internal camera, and two rear-facing cameras.
Another well-known insider, Digital Chat Station, claims that the two rear cameras will each have a 48-megapixel resolution. Other sources report that the inner display has an under-display camera (USC), while the outer display – when folded – features a punch-hole camera.
Touch ID
Kuo expects the smartphone to forgo Face ID and instead use a side-mounted Touch ID button to save valuable internal space. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg recently confirmed this rumor. Apple has already integrated Touch ID into the side button of the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini.
C2 Modem
According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the Apple iPhone Fold will use Apple’s second-generation C2 modem for cellular connectivity. Apple introduced its in-house developed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e earlier this year, followed by the C1X in the iPhone Air. This is part of a multi-year plan to move away from Qualcomm modems. According to Gurman, the foldable device will not have a physical SIM card slot.
Battery Life
According to a Korean blog that has previously revealed precise details about unreleased products, Apple is placing great emphasis on improving energy efficiency. To this end, key components such as the display driver are being miniaturized to make room for more battery cells. The foldable Apple smartphone is said to be equipped with high-density battery cells. The C2 modem is expected to be faster overall and will support mmWave in the US. Further improvements in energy efficiency are likely.
Colors
According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple is currently only testing black and white versions of the foldable phone with suppliers. However, he adds that Apple’s plans could still change before the device’s launch.
Price
Several reports indicate that the Apple iPhone Fold will cost between $2,000 and $2,500 (€1,724-€2,155) in the US, potentially making it the most expensive iPhone ever. Analysts at the investment bank UBS, however, expect a price between $1,800 and $2,000. Kuo recently claimed, however, that the hinge is expected to have an average retail price of around $70 to $80 when production begins—significantly below market expectations of $100 to $120 or more.
Kuo attributed the cost reduction to “optimized assembly processes” and Foxconn’s influence on scaling up production. Whether the price reduction for the hinge will lower the retail price or simply increase Apple’s profit margins remains to be seen. Regardless of the price, the Apple iPhone Fold is expected to appeal to the company’s loyal fan base, some of whom will consider it a “must-have,” provided the quality meets expectations.
Launch Date
According to industry analyst Jeff Pu, the Apple iPhone Fold entered the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn in March. Foxconn is expected to officially begin production of Apple’s foldable iPhone in early Q4 (October). A recent report indicates that Apple is already stockpiling components for pre-production. An exact release date is currently unknown, but both Kuo and Pu expect mass production to begin in the second half of 2026.
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman expects the Apple iPhone Fold to launch in the fall of next year. However, the Japanese financial institution Mizuho Securities considers a delay to 2027 possible, as Apple needs more time to decide on key design elements such as the hinge.
