Key Considerations Regarding Apple’s Forthcoming Foldable iPhone

Speculation regarding a foldable iPhone has persisted for nearly a decade; however, a 2026 release now appears plausible.  While several months remain before its anticipated launch, current indications are positive.

Apple’s objective is to develop a crease-free foldable iPhone.  This has been a multi-year endeavor, driven by Apple’s commitment to eliminating the unsightly crease prevalent in competing foldable smartphones.  The goal is a completely seamless display, devoid of any distracting center line. The device will utilize a book-style opening mechanism.  Extensive research and development, encompassing various design iterations, have informed this approach.

Last year, there were discussions regarding Apple adopting a clamshell design similar to the Galaxy Z Flip. While this remains a possibility for future iterations, current indications suggest Apple’s initial foldable iPhone will utilize a book-style design, akin to the Galaxy Z Fold.  Given iOS’s current lack of optimization for horizontal orientation, significant software updates will be necessary.  Apple is reportedly developing redesigned versions of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 to enhance cross-platform consistency, a crucial step for an operating system supporting both vertical and horizontal orientations.

Envision the dimensions of an iPad mini.  Preliminary reports suggest Apple’s foldable iPhone will feature a 5.5-inch external display when closed, smaller than current iPhone models which begin at 6.1 inches.  However, when unfolded, the display expands to 7.8 inches, closely approximating the dimensions of the previous 7.9-inch iPad mini.  To visualize the unfolded display size, consider an iPad mini in landscape orientation, or two 6.1-inch iPhones placed side-by-side.

The device’s design will incorporate a combination of robust and lightweight materials.  Apple plans to integrate iPhone 17 Air technology into the foldable iPhone, resulting in a thickness of approximately 4.8mm when unfolded. This surpasses even the 5.1-inch 12.9-inch iPad Pro, currently Apple’s thinnest product. However, the folded configuration will measure approximately 9mm to 9.5mm in thickness.

The device may incorporate Touch ID.  While unconventional, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests Apple may integrate a Touch ID power button as an alternative to Face ID.  Should Apple encounter difficulties miniaturizing the front-facing TrueDepth camera module sufficiently to achieve desirable screen thinness, Touch ID presents a viable solution.

Significant expense is anticipated.  Foldable smartphones command premium pricing, irrespective of the Android manufacturer.  Apple’s offering is projected to be exceptionally costly, with estimates ranging from $2,000 to $2,500.

Currently, circulating rumors lack definitive confirmation; pre-launch information for Apple products is often inconsistent due to the company’s experimental approach.  While emerging details appear increasingly reliable, modifications remain possible before official release.  Furthermore, considering Apple’s recent history, product cancellation remains a distinct possibility.

Our current projection indicates a potential launch of the first foldable iPhone model around late 2026.  We anticipate increased discussion and speculation on this topic in the coming months as we approach the 2026 iPhone rumor cycle.

Although the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not anticipated to launch until September, considerable speculation regarding these devices already exists.  Key rumored changes for the iPhone 17 Pro models, as of March 2025, are summarized below:  A shift to an aluminum frame is rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models, in contrast to the titanium frames of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models.