iPhone Fold — Release date, rumors, design, and everything we know so far

[Shekinah Brama]

We’ve been hearing whispers about an iPhone Fold for nearly a decade now. And while plenty of rumors have fizzled over the years, it finally feels like we’re inching closer to a genuine, real-world folding iPhone.

Early speculation pointed toward a clamshell-style device — the so-called iPhone Flip — but more recent reports indicate Apple has shifted its focus toward a book-style foldable, much like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7. Word is that Apple plans to equip its foldable with cutting-edge display tech that could outshine every foldable on the market — and, naturally, come with a premium Apple price tag.

With competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold already staking their claim in the foldable space, Apple faces tough competition. Still, few brands can command the level of anticipation Apple does, and the iPhone Fold will be no exception.

Here’s everything we’ve heard so far about Apple’s long-awaited foldable iPhone — from release rumors to design leaks and beyond.

iPhone Fold: Rumored price and release date
If current reports are accurate, the iPhone Fold could debut in 2026, launching alongside the iPhone 18 series, according to a source on Weibo. There’s even talk of a foldable iPad arriving around the same time — though for now, we’ll keep the spotlight on the phone.

We’ve heard many release dates before that came and went without an announcement, but this one feels different. Supply chain leaks suggest that display components have entered early production, lending credibility to the 2026 timeline. Plus, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, one of the most reliable Apple insiders, has been reporting new details about the foldable iPhone — a strong sign that this project is moving beyond speculation.

As for pricing, analysts estimate the iPhone Fold will start around $2,000, matching Samsung’s Z Fold 7. Some whispers suggest Apple might undercut that slightly, but knowing Apple’s premium strategy, a higher price point feels far more likely for its first foldable.

iPhone Fold: Design
To imagine what the iPhone Fold might look like, it helps to start with the iPhone Air, released in September. According to leaks, the Fold could resemble “two Airs joined together” — an ultra-slim, futuristic design that merges elegance with engineering ambition.

In an interview with TG, Apple’s John Ternus hinted that certain design elements from the iPhone Air could appear in future products — including a potential folding iPhone.

The iPhone Air features a titanium frame, a first for any iPhone. Rumors suggest the iPhone Fold will blend titanium, aluminum, and reinforced glass for strength and flexibility. If true, this hybrid build would mark another engineering milestone for Apple.

Leakers also claim the device will drop the physical SIM tray entirely, supporting only eSIM — following the trend started by the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 lineup in the U.S. In exchange, Apple may reintroduce Touch ID, currently absent from recent iPhones, for biometric unlocking. However, this could change depending on how Apple finalizes the foldable’s design — Face ID remains an option too.

When unfolded, the iPhone Fold is expected to be the thinnest iPhone ever, surpassing even the 5.6mm iPhone Air. For context, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 4.2mm when open — so Apple’s engineering team will have to pull off something truly special.

iPhone Fold: Displays
Apple’s foldable is expected to take the book-style form factor, featuring a large internal display and a smaller external screen, similar to the Z Fold series rather than the flip-style designs seen elsewhere.

Rumors peg the display sizes at 7.8 inches (inner) and 5.5 inches (outer), with the inner panel likely manufactured by Samsung Display, the global leader in flexible OLED technology.

Some insiders say the iPhone Fold’s inner screen will feature an almost invisible crease, a notable improvement over current foldables. While we don’t yet know how it will compare to Samsung’s latest hinge tech, Bloomberg’s Gurman has reported that Apple’s primary focus is ensuring the highest possible display quality.

iPhone Fold: Cameras
Camera details remain scarce, but given Apple’s recent minimalist trend with the iPhone Air, expect the Fold to feature fewer lenses than the flagship Pro models — possibly a dual-camera setup instead of the usual trio.

One rumor suggests Apple is experimenting with an under-display selfie camera for the inner screen. This would deliver a seamless viewing experience but could compromise photo quality — a problem Samsung recently faced (and abandoned) with the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

iPhone Fold: Performance and specs
No confirmed specs yet, but we can make some educated guesses. The iPhone Fold will almost certainly run on Apple’s A20 or A20 Pro chip, depending on when it launches, paired with at least 12GB of RAM and 256GB of base storage.

Rumors suggest the Fold could include a large 5,000–5,500mAh battery, which would make it the most powerful iPhone battery ever — larger even than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Given the demands of two displays, that extra capacity would be essential.

On the software side, iOS 27 — reportedly arriving in late 2026 — is said to introduce new interface elements optimized for foldables, allowing multitasking and adaptive layouts that make the most of the larger screen.

iPhone Fold: Outlook
Apple has taken its time — perhaps too much time — to enter the foldable market. By 2026, Samsung will have released its eighth-generation Z Fold, Google will continue refining its Pixel Fold, and Chinese brands like Oppo, Huawei, and Xiaomi will have iterated through multiple generations of their own devices.

That’s a steep hill to climb. But this is Apple — and the name alone guarantees massive consumer interest.

If Apple can combine its trademark polish with genuinely unique features — like a crease-free display, ultra-slim design, and exceptional durability — the iPhone Fold could easily earn a place among the best foldable phones on the market.

Here’s hoping that Apple’s first foldable doesn’t repeat the early missteps of its rivals — but instead delivers a debut device that sets a new industry standard for innovation, refinement, and resilience.

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