Apple is working on a foldable iPhone, and while details on the device are short, we now have a good idea of what it could look like and what sort of inspiration it will take from Samsung. A leaker has shared key details related to the foldable iPhone's design, display, and hinge, which will be the crucial aspects of the device. At this stage, we are not familiar with the concrete launch time frame of the device, but it could be announced either next year or in 2027.
Apple's foldable iPhone will be bigger than previously anticipated, with a 12-inch internal display and a dual-lens camera setup
According to an X account HaYao, Apple's first foldable iPhone will be a book-style device, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold lineup. It was previously reported that the company is also working on a clamshell version of the foldable, which would have directly competed against the likes of the Galaxy Z Flip. The tipster claims that the foldable iPhone will feature a 12-inch internal display, which will be larger than it was previously speculated. While exact display dimensions remain unknown, previous speculations mentioned that the device will be pretty similar to that of the Galaxy Z Fold.
According to the leaker, "the left rear folds greatly," which, according to Jukanlosreve, means that the foldable iPhone will "feature a large folding mechanism on the left rear side." The details also mention that the assembly cost of the hinge will be $110 for Apple, which will be supplied by "Amphenol/Taiwan Shin Nihon." Other than this, the display will be supplied by Samsung, which makes sense as the supplier already has ample experience producing flexible display panels. In terms of thickness, the device will be 4.6mm when it is unfolded and 9.2mm when folded.
The middle frame of the foldable iPhone will be made of aluminum, but it remains to be seen whether the company will shift to titanium for enhanced durability. Other than this, the leaker also claims that the foldable iPhone will feature a dual-lens camera setup at the back instead of a triple-lens camera system like the 'Pro' models of the iPhone. Both of these sensors will feature a glass-plastic hybrid lens similar to the current models. As for the front camera, the device could feature metalens technology for smaller Dynamic Island. The same technology is also reported to arrive with this year's iPhone 17 lineup.
In terms of battery life, the leaker claims that the device will feature two batteries with a combined capacity of 5,000mAh. As for the launch, the foldable iPhone is slated to launch in the fall of 2026, which is in line with prior reports. The company will aim to sell 8 to 10 million units of the foldable iPhone in 2026, but a staggering 20 million units in the year after. It remains to be seen how Apple will position the device and what differences it would have compared to the standard and the 'Pro' models.
