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iPhone Flip release date expectations, price estimates, upgrades

By Iskra Petrova

Updated: Jun 26, 2025, 7:08 AM

A concept render of a potential iPhone Flip.

A concept image of an iPhone Flip. | Image Credit - iOS News Beta

What we know so far

The foldable market has been around for quite some time, but Apple is yet to join it. This delay is mainly attributed to the Cupertino tech giant having especially hard-to-meet high standards for quality. However, it seems now (judging by a multitude of rumors) that the company may be ready to join the race soon.

Lately, there have been more and more rumors online hinting at what Apple might be planning. And yep, these plans may include a foldable device (or two). Most of them say the first foldable iPhone will open like a book (so more like a Galaxy Z Fold-type of device), but that doesn't rule out the idea of a flip-style version to accompany it or follow quickly after.

People have shared some concept images of what an "iPhone Flip" might look like, and Apple has even filed a few patents that hint at its plans. But so far, there haven't been any solid leaks or official details.

Still, let's explore what a foldable, clamshell-style iPhone from Apple might look like.

iPhone Flip release date

Apple is said to be working on a foldable iPhone that could launch in late 2026 or early 2027. But this one will probably fold like a book.

As for the iPhone Flip (or whatever name Apple chooses), that might come later – maybe sometime in 2027 or beyond. Right now, though, there aren't any solid leaks or clear details about it.

Here's when the main competitors of the iPhone Flip launched first:

Foldable	Release date
Foldable clamshell iPhone (iPhone Flip)	Early 2027, expected*
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip	February 2019
Huawei P50 Pocket	December 2021
Motorola Razr	November 2019

* - probable dates

iPhone Flip price

Recently, reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo spoke about the potential price of a book style-foldable, positioning it in the $2,000-$2,500 price bracket. This is however an educated guess and doesn't come from Kuo's internal sources. If Apple goes for a similar strategy for the clamshell iPhone, you may expect a slightly less expensive but definitely not cheap iPhone Flip.

Another analyst has also given their prediction of the potential foldable iPhone price, offering us a more concentrated estimate: between $2,100 to $2,300. But this is once again referring to the book-style foldable. Given how expensive it is, we may also believe the iPhone Flip is not going to be cheap either.

Model	Price
Foldable iPhone Flip	Unknown, but unlikely under $1,099.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6	$1,099
Motorola Razr+	$999
Oppo Find N3 Flip	Slightly cheaper than the above, but not available in Western markets

iPhone Flip camera

Foldable phones are not exactly positioned for camera enthusiasts. Despite that, Apple has consistently maintained a reliable and stable camera experience on the regular iPhones, and there's no reason to believe this won't be such for the iPhone Flip.

When it finally arrives, the iPhone Flip will probably have a solid, versatile camera setup. It might have one or two cameras – we're not sure yet, so it's really anyone's guess at this point.

One thing you can expect is that the main camera will likely be at least 48MP. That's the same as the one on the mid-range iPhone 16e, so it should be more than capable of capturing beautiful, high-quality photos.

iPhone Flip design

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The design – arguably the most important aspect of a foldable phone – of the clamshell iPhone is still under wraps (surprising, right?). The one thing that we can safely assume is, well, a clamshell folding style. But the rest is unknown at this point.

Meanwhile, rumors are indicating Apple may be rethinking its strategy when it comes to iPhone design a bit. Some bizarre rumors (which are starting to sound more and more real) about a new design for the iPhone 17 Pro are throwing shadows on the otherwise consistent Apple look of simplicity and elegance.

Nevertheless, we're inclined to believe the iPhone Flip will maintain a recognizable Apple look anyway. Several concept renders of a potential iPhone with a clamshell design have been circulating around the internet for some time now. Most point to a Galaxy Z Flip-style look, the classic clamshell foldable smartphone look, but just an iPhone.

Concept render of the iPhone Flip. | Image Credit - Let's Go Digital

Meanwhile, Jon Prosser from Front Page Tech also suggests that Apple may go for two displays like on Surface Duo. At least, according to Prosser, the company has prototyped it. This would conflict the other rumors, though, about Apple looking to get rid of the crease in a foldable display. Obviously, if there are two displays, there's no crease, per se...

Knowing Apple, we can probably count on the iPhone Flip to feel premium and well-made. It's safe to expect a strong, durable build too – something that looks good and holds up over time.

Well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that Apple's book-style foldable iPhone might feature a titanium body and a titanium-stainless steel hinge. If that turns out to be true, there’s a good chance the iPhone Flip could follow the same design path.

iPhone Flip display

All right, all right, I know this is what everyone wants to know. To crease or not to crease seems to be Apple's dilemma right now (and generally, every foldable phone maker's dilemma). Foldable phones still have a crease in 2025, despite it being very minimal with new models such as the Oppo Find N5.

Several rumors say that Apple's foldable iPhone might not have a crease at all – that's the visible line where the screen usually folds.

If Apple really does manage to get rid of the crease on the larger foldable model, there's a good chance that same smooth-screen tech will make its way to the iPhone Flip too.

Over the last few years, rumors have been contradictory on which display maker may supply the display for the foldable iPhone. Rumor has it Cupertino has been talking with both LG and Samsung for foldable displays, but it is not clear which one Apple has chosen just yet.

As for the size, nothing is known at the moment. The sizes of the iPhone Fold are in the rumor mill, but as far as the iPhone Flip comes, it's all under wraps.

Competing devices with the clamshell form factor may give you an idea (somewhat) of what display sizes you can imagine for Apple's take:

Galaxy Z Flip 6: 6.7-inch folding display, 3.4-inch cover display
Motorola Razr+: 6.9-inch folding display, 3.6-inch cover display
Oppo Find N3 Flip: 6.8-inch folding display, 3.3-inch cover display

So, picture a big display with a regular smartphone ratio, more or less. The big display coupled with the foldable form factor (portability, you know) is one of the finest advantages of foldable phones in general.

iPhone Flip battery

The rumors are absolutely silent about the potential battery for the iPhone Flip. Recently, Kuo mentioned that the first foldable iPhone (the 'Fold') would come with battery cells with the same energy density as the ones rumored for the iPhone 17 Air.

These higher-density cells are designed to store more energy within the same physical space. The battery size is unknown, but I'm pretty sure it will be just enough for you not to worry about it.

iPhone Flip software

We don't yet know which iOS version the iPhone Flip will run. Most likely, it'll be a special version of iOS designed for the foldable screen – maybe with features like Samsung's Flex Mode, where you can watch a video on the top half and type on the bottom. We can also safely expect Apple Intelligence, and hopefully by the time this iPhone is released, the promised context-aware Siri will also be in the game.

Knowing Apple, the Flip will probably get software updates for many years, just like their other phones. So that part should be reassuring.

Should I wait for the iPhone Flip?

You should wait for the iPhone Flip ifyou currently rock a new iPhone (so you're not in immediate need for upgrading) and want to take advantage of the portability of a foldable iPhone. Also, you should wait if you like foldables, but you don't like creases or Android.

You should not wait for iPhone Flip ifyou like the current foldables, butyou don't necessarily fancy iOS. Also, if you're in dire need of upgrading your iPhone, becausethe iPhone Flip is not expected until at least 2027.

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Izzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities. Outside her professional life, Izzy, a literature master's degree holder, enjoys reading, painting, and learning languages. She's also a personal growth advocate, believing in the power of experience and gratitude. Whether it's walking her Chihuahua or singing her heart out, Izzy embraces life with passion and curiosity.

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