Concept image of a Foldable iPhone. | Image by AppleInsider.
What we know so far
Apple is reportedly preparing to release its first foldable iPhone in 2026, potentially alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series. As you've probably heard, the "vanilla" iPhone 18 might be delayed until 2027.
However, Apple's first-ever foldable, often referred to as the iPhone Fold, is entering the engineering verification and pre-production stage, with around 100 units expected for testing.
Apple aims to produce a high-end, crease-free foldable, using specially treated liquid metal and a new hinge design to ensure a seamless display experience.
Rumored specifications include a 7.8-inch internal screen, a 5.5-inch external display, a dual rear camera system, 12 GB RAM with up to 1 TB storage, and a 5,000–5,500 mAh battery.
The device is expected to run iOS 27, optimized for foldable hardware with improved multitasking and screen adaptability. Rumored to be priced around $2,399, the iPhone Fold aims to combine premium design, durability, and performance, marking Apple's late but potentially influential entry into the foldable smartphone market.
Here's a table that shows how late to the foldable game Apple actually is:
Foldable
Release date
Foldable iPhone (iPhone Fold)
Expected to arrive in 2026
Samsung Galaxy Fold
February 2019
Huawei Mate X2
February 2021
Honor Magic V
January 2022
Xiaomi Mix Fold
March 2021
Oppo Find N
December 2021
Vivo X Fold
April 2022
Samsung was first with the Galaxy Fold and it took other phone makers from China around three years to come up with their own book-style foldables.
One thing is (almost) certain: Apple is reportedly planning annual releases for its foldable device, aiming for top-tier hardware and a nearly invisible crease.
According to the well-known industry insider Ming-Chi Kuo, 3 million to 5 million iPhone Fold phones are expected to ship in 2026 and 20 million (plus the second-generation iPhone Fold) in 2027.
Per late 2025 reports, Apple has moved the iPhone Fold into the engineering verification and pre-production (EVT) stage. This comes after prototypes of the device were created. EVT testing produces units that function like the final phone and closely resemble the intended design. Apple is believed to be preparing around 100 iPhone Fold units for this phase. These units allow hardware engineers to verify that the components work correctly, the design is electronically sound, and the device can be reliably manufactured at scale.
Foldable iPhone price
The latest rumors on the topic of the iPhone Fold's price speak of $2,399, which is definitely extra-premium. Some insiders expect Apple to launch at around the $2,000 price tag.
Either way, it'll be a premium device.
Reportedly, the foldable iPhone will come with a Bill of Materials estimated at $759 – slightly less than Samsung's costs. Per early reports, Samsung Display will supply most of the 7-inch OLED panels, with LG Display joining later, while Foxconn will serve as the primary assembler.
Many believe Apple's entry could accelerate foldable adoption across multiple device categories, benefiting from a mature supply chain and refined technology to deliver a more advanced product at a competitive cost.
Here is how the alleged foldable iPhone price compares to other popular foldable phones on the market:
Model
Price
iPhone Fold
~$2,399*
Samsung Galaxy Fold 7
$1,999
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold
$1,799
* - expected
Of course, take this with a grain of salt, as nothing is official yet.
Foldable iPhone design
The foldable iPhone might be smaller and wider than other foldable phones on the market. It might look a lot like the Pixel Fold on the right. | Image by PhoneArena
We are now hearing it from multiple sources that the first foldable iPhone is likely to be a bit more compact than most other foldable phones on the market.
Not only that, but it is also expected to have a wider aspect ratio, so in many ways, it could look somewhat similar to the first-generation Pixel Fold.
Unlike Google's foldable, the iPhone Fold is anticipated to have a more modern design. Apple might aim to avoid some of the things, which Pixel fans have complained about, such as outdated design and excessive weight.
Some anticipate Apple's first foldable iPhone to feature a 7.8-inch internal screen and a 5.5-inch external display, smaller than the Galaxy Z Fold 7's massive 8-inch main and 6.5-inch cover screens. Even the older Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the OnePlus Open would offer larger displays in both areas.
While this could put Apple at a disadvantage on screen size, the device may stand out in other ways, with rumored strengths including better battery life, improved durability, and a crease-free display design.
So how thin will this new foldable iPhone be?
Model
Thickness (Folded)
Thickness (Unfolded)
Foldable iPhone*
9 - 9.5 mm*
4.5 - 4.8 mm*
Oppo Find N5
8.9 mm
4.2 mm
Pixel 10 Pro Fold
10.8 mm
5.2 mm
* - expected.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and its 8.9 mm (folded) and 4.2 mm (unfolded) numbers could outdo it on paper, but in real life, Apple's foldable will surely feel thin and elegant.
Foldable iPhone display
These are the expected numbers:
7.8-inch inner display
5.5-inch outer display
The internal screen is produced by Samsung, but as reports point out, Apple is responsible for the panel structure, material processing, and laminated pressing method.
In recent months, reports on the foldable iPhone have consistently pointed to Apple postponing its launch in order to eliminate the center crease entirely. The company reportedly sees removing the crease as the key feature that would set its device apart from every other foldable phone available.
This will be thanks to a new hinge that could be cheaper to produce than previously suggested.
In early 2025, the company has allegedly found the right hinge mechanism and overall mechanics to achieve that big goal, so the first foldable iPhone should arrive without a crease (or with one that is barely noticeable).
Foldable iPhone camera
Considering that this shapes up as a premium product from Apple, we expect a powerful camera system on board.
But a report from Ming-Chi Kuo says that the foldable iPhone will only have a dual rear camera system, so not quite as versatile as the triple cameras on the iPhone Pro and Pro Max models.
That means, we can expect the following:
Main camera, likely a 48 MP sensor
Ultra-wide camera, likely a 48 MP sensor
If the foldable iPhone only has two cameras, chances are the telephoto camera will be dropped. That means you won't get as good a zoom quality as on other foldable phones. In comparison, you do get a 5X telephoto lens on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, so if Apple does not have that lens, that would be a considerable downside.
Under-display selfie camera?
Numerous reports talked about the foldable iPhone sporting an under-display selfie camera on the inner display. For context, Samsung's Galaxy Fold series have also been using an "invisible" under-display selfie camera ever since the Fold 4, but ditched that with the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
If confirmed, this would mark the first iPhone to feature an under-display camera. This technology allows for a seamless main screen without any visible camera holes or notches. However, the trade-off is that the camera's image quality tends to be lower than that of conventional front-facing cameras.
There will reportedly be another front camera on the outer screen, and that one could be a traditional one, so if users want the maximum quality for selfies and video calls, they could use that camera.
The good news is that a 24 MP is rumored to be utilized in the UDC (under-display camera).
Foldable iPhone storage
The premium-made foldable iPhone is likely to start at 256 GB of storage, and we have seen foldable phones from other brands also offer at least 256 GB of storage on their book-style foldables.
There is also one more reason – it is just very unlikely that a potential $2,399 iPhone Fold comes with 128 GB of storage in the base model.
Here's a clear point for Apple over Samsung, if rumors turn out to be true.
Details about the foldable iPhone's battery capacity have emerged, suggesting it will have a battery between 5,000mAh and 5,500mAh of capacity.
Apple is most likely prioritizing energy efficiency, including the use of more power-efficient display components, to extend battery life instead of simply increasing the battery size.
That's amazing, given that iPhones typically have smaller batteries than Android phones:
Foldable phone
Battery size
iPhone Fold
5,000—5,500 mAh*
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
~4,400 mAh
Oppo Find N5
5,600 mAh
Honor Magic V5
6,100 mAh
* - expected
That's a clear win over the Z Fold 7, so maybe Samsung will up the mAh numbers for the Galaxy Z Fold 8?
Foldable iPhone features and software
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone is expected to run iOS 27, which will be tailored for foldable hardware. The software is likely to offer smoother transitions between folded and unfolded modes, improved multitasking, and apps that adapt more effectively to varying screen sizes.
These refinements should make the foldable experience feel natural and integrated within iOS, addressing common challenges seen in existing foldable devices. iOS 27 is also anticipated to introduce a refreshed user interface designed to take full advantage of larger, flexible displays, ensuring the device performs reliably in all configurations.
AI devices are increasingly focusing on multimodal functionality and cross-app integration. That being said, larger screens can enhance these experiences, allowing users to, for example, chat with a travel-planning chatbot while simultaneously viewing a full map app.
Foldable iPhone hardware
Recent reports indicate that Apple is working on a foldable iPhone featuring a crease-free display. By incorporating specially treated liquid metal, the device is expected to avoid the visible and tactile folds seen in existing foldable phones. Apple’s goal is to offer a high-end, seamless experience that sets its device apart from the competition.
On the performance side, the iPhone Fold is rumored to run on Apple's A20 Pro chipset, built on a 2 nm process, promising up to 15% faster speeds and 30% better power efficiency compared to the A19. Battery capacity is projected between 5,000 and 5,500 mAh, supported by optimized iOS power management.
The upcoming A20 Pro chip could be one of the first built on a 2nm process, promising major improvements in speed and power efficiency that should give the foldable iPhone strong performance. The company is also expected to adopt new WMCM packaging technology, allowing RAM to be integrated directly with the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine for even faster processing.
Additionally, the device may bring back side-mounted Touch ID for biometric authentication, offering an alternative to Face ID that could be better suited for the foldable form factor.
Durability remains a critical concern for foldable phones, especially at premium price points. Analyst Jeff Pu expects the foldable iPhone to feature a hybrid frame made of titanium and aluminum, contrasting earlier reports that suggested a stainless steel and titanium hinge with a full titanium casing. Bloomberg previously described the design as resembling two titanium iPhone Air models joined side by side, adding to speculation about Apple's final material choice.
Should I wait for the iPhone Fold?
You should wait for the iPhone Fold if you're not happy with the current foldable phone design and form factors. You should also wait if you love iOS and want to have that experience rather than Android on a foldable phone.
You should not wait for the iPhone Fold ifyou think current foldable phones are already quite good and you don't mind or love the form factor. The iPhone will be slightly different, which you may not be good, if you already like the current form factors.
Sebastian, a veteran of a tech writer with over 15 years of experience in media and marketing, blends his lifelong fascination with writing and technology to provide valuable insights into the realm of mobile devices. Embracing the evolution from PCs to smartphones, he harbors a special appreciation for the Google Pixel line due to their superior camera capabilities. Known for his engaging storytelling style, sprinkled with rich literary and film references, Sebastian critically explores the impact of technology on society, while also perpetually seeking out the next great tech deal, making him a distinct and relatable voice in the tech world.
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