Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device.
Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that have been leaked about Apple's foldable iPhone so far.
Overall Design
Book-Style
According to
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple's foldable iPhone is similar in style to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold, which uses a book-style folding mechanism, rather than the clamshell design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.
Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the foldable iPhone to measure between 9 and 9.5 mm when folded, and around 4.5 to 4.8 mm when unfolded. More recently, Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital has said that the foldable iPhone will have a thickness of
at least 4.8mm.
Display Sizes
Dual Screens
When folded, users will interact with a 5.5-inch outer display that is similar to a typical iPhone screen, while unfolding it will reveal a larger 7.8-inch iPad-style screen. The inner display is said to be
virtually crease-free, thanks to Apple's use of a
metal plate that can disperse and control the stress generated by bending the display. These dimensions have been corroborated by
two reputable
sources. According to one rumor, the inner folding display will be approximately the size of a piece of A6 paper and will use a 2,713 x 1,920 resolution, while the outer display will use a 2,088 x 1,422 resolution.
Chassis and Hinge
Durable Materials
The foldable iPhone reportedly has a titanium chassis, with the hinge constructed from a combination of titanium and stainless steel,
according to Kuo. Apple is said to be using liquid metal in the hinges to improve durability and help eliminate screen creasing. Liquid metal, manufactured using a die-casting process, has been chosen by Apple to address these two common issues with foldable devices,
according to the analyst. The frame itself will use a titanium alloy to prevent bending issues – a solution that has worked well for Apple's new ultra-thin iPhone Air. However, analyst Jeff Pu
believes that Apple is using aluminum and titanium, whereas Kuo believes a mix of stainless steel and titanium has been chosen.
Cameras
Front and Rear
The foldable iPhone is expected to include a dual-lens rear camera, with a front-facing camera for both folded and unfolded states,
according to Kuo. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently
corroborated reports that the device will have four cameras consisting of one front camera, one inner camera, and two rear cameras. Prolific Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station claims that the rear dual lenses will be
48 megapixels each. Other sources have claimed that the inner display features an
under-screen camera (USC), while the outer display – in the device's folded state – will have a
punch-hole camera.
Authentication
Touch ID
Kuo believes the phone will
forgo Face ID authentication, and instead use a Touch ID side button as a means to save precious internal space, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently
corroborated the rumor. Apple has previously integrated Touch ID into the side button of the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini.
Cellular Connectivity
C2 Modem
The foldable iPhone will use Apple's second-generation C2 modem for cellular connectivity, according to
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple debuted its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e earlier this year, followed by the C1X featured in the iPhone Air, as part of a multi-year plan to transition away from Qualcomm modems. Gurman says the foldable device will not have a physical SIM slot.
Battery Life
High-Density Cells
Apple is putting a heavy focus on improving power efficiency by slimming down key components like the display driver to make room for more battery cells, according to a
Korean blog that has leaked accurate details about unreleased products before. The phone will reportedly use
high-density battery cells. Expect the C2 modem to be faster overall, and for it to gain mmWave support in the United States. Further power efficiency improvements are likely too.
Color Options
Black and White
Apple is currently only testing variations of black and white for the folding phone with suppliers, according to
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, although he says that Apple's plans could evolve before the device launches.
Pricing
Premium Segment
Multiple reports have suggested the foldable iPhone will be priced between $2,000 and $2,500 in the United States, which could make it the most expensive iPhone ever. Meanwhile, analysts at investment banking firm UBS believe the phone will be between
$1,800 and $2,000. However, Kuo recently
claimed that the hinge is expected to carry an average selling price (ASP) of approximately $70 to $80 when mass production begins – well below the market expectation of $100 to $120 or higher. Kuo attributed the cost decline to "assembly design optimization" and Foxconn's influence in production scaling. Whether the reduction in hinge price will reduce retail price or simply bolster Apple's margins is an open question. Regardless of the price, the foldable is expected to tap into Apple's loyal fanbase, some of whom will view it as a "must-have device" if its quality meets expectations.
Launch Date
Late 2026
According to industry analyst Jeff Pu, the device entered the
New Product Introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn in March. Foxconn is
expected to officially start producing Apple's foldable iPhone early in the fourth quarter (October), and a recent report has suggested Apple is already
stockpiling components for pre-production. An exact launch date is currently unknown, but both Kuo and Pu say mass production is planned for the second half of 2026.
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has said he expects the device to be
launched next year in the
fall season. However, Japan's Mizuho Securities banking firm has suggested a
postponement to 2027 could still happen because of Apple taking longer to decide on key design elements such as the hinge.
This article, "
iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable" first appeared on
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