Apple’s long-awaited foldable iPhone is finally becoming real. After over a decade of rumors, patents, and speculation, multiple sources now point to September 2026 as the launch window for Apple’s first foldable device, arriving alongside the iPhone 18 lineup.
Here’s everything we know about the iPhone Fold, from its crease-free display to its premium price tag.
⚠️ Note: Apple has not officially announced a foldable iPhone. All information in this article is based on analyst reports, supply chain rumors, and patent filings. We’ll update this article as official details emerge.
📋 In This Article
Quick Facts
| Expected Release | September 2026 (alongside iPhone 18) |
| Form Factor | Book-style foldable (like Galaxy Z Fold) |
| Inner Display | 7.8″ (crease-free), 4:3 aspect ratio |
| Outer Display | 5.5″ cover screen |
| Thickness | 4.5mm unfolded / 9-9.5mm folded |
| Chip | A20 (TSMC 2nm process) |
| Expected Price | $2,000 – $2,500 |
| Authentication | Touch ID (side button), no Face ID |
What Is the iPhone Fold?
The iPhone Fold is Apple’s rumored first foldable smartphone, reportedly set to launch in late 2026. Unlike Samsung’s flip-style Galaxy Z Flip, Apple appears to be going with a book-style design, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold series, that opens up to reveal a larger, iPad mini-sized display.
Apple has been working on foldable technology for over a decade, with patents dating back to 2016. The company has reportedly tested both clamshell and book-style designs, but recent rumors have solidified around the book-style form factor for the first release.
The device is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 series, positioning it as a premium option for users who want the largest possible iPhone display in a pocketable form factor.
The Competition Apple Is Up Against
Apple is entering a market that Samsung and Google have been refining for years. Here’s what the iPhone Fold will be competing against:
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Samsung’s latest book-style foldable with 7.6″ inner display
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Google’s premium foldable with Tensor G5 and Gemini AI
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
Compact clamshell design, what Apple’s flip might compete with later
Design & Display
The Crease-Free Display
The biggest rumor: Apple has reportedly achieved a virtually invisible crease on the inner display. This has been one of the main complaints about foldable phones since Samsung launched the original Galaxy Fold in 2019, and it’s reportedly one of the reasons Apple waited so long to enter the market.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and supply chain reports, Apple pursued eliminating the crease “regardless of cost,” developing a new material property that makes it disappear. The company is reportedly using ultra-thin glass from supplier Lens Technology (with raw materials from Corning) and a custom Samsung-made display panel that integrates touch sensors directly into the display, reducing thickness by approximately 19%.
Rumored Display Specifications
- Inner Display: 7.76-7.8 inches, 2713 × 1920 resolution, 4:3 aspect ratio
- Outer Display: 5.49-5.5 inches, 2088 × 1422 resolution, hole-punch camera
- Under-display camera on inner display (24MP, an industry first at that resolution)
When unfolded, the iPhone Fold would be Apple’s thinnest device ever at just 4.5mm, beating the current record holder, the 5.1mm iPad Pro. When folded, it’s rumored to measure 9-9.5mm thick.
Rumored Build & Materials
The iPhone Fold is expected to feature:
- Frame: Titanium and aluminum hybrid (titanium for stress-bearing areas, aluminum for heat dissipation)
- Hinge: Liquid metal (amorphous metal) combined with titanium and stainless steel, tougher than titanium alloy and resistant to bending/deformation
- Structural glass mid-frame to minimize visible display crease
- Colors: Currently testing black and white variants
Specs & Features
A20 Chip (2nm)
The iPhone Fold is expected to run Apple’s next-generation A20 chip, built on TSMC’s 2nm process. This represents a significant jump from the A19, with expected improvements of:
- Up to 15% faster performance
- 30% better power efficiency
- RAM integrated directly on the chip (WMCM packaging) for faster Apple Intelligence processing
Rumored Cameras
The iPhone Fold is rumored to have four total cameras:
- Rear: Dual 48MP lenses (Main + Ultra Wide, no Telephoto)
- Front (outer): Single hole-punch camera
- Front (inner): 24MP under-display camera, reportedly the highest resolution under-display camera on any smartphone
Touch ID Returns (No Face ID)
In a surprising rumor, Apple is reportedly dropping Face ID from the foldable iPhone in favor of a Touch ID side button, similar to the iPad mini. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests this decision was made to keep the device as thin as possible, as there isn’t enough internal space for Face ID components.
Rumored Battery
Despite the thin design, the iPhone Fold could pack the largest battery ever in an iPhone: 5,400 to 5,800 mAh, according to supply chain reports. For comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 5,088 mAh battery. Apple has also reportedly reduced the display driver IC from 28nm to 16nm to maximize power efficiency.
Expected Connectivity
- Modem: Apple’s second-generation C2 modem with mmWave 5G support
- SIM: eSIM only (no physical SIM slot)
Price & Release Date
Release Date: September 2026
Multiple analysts, including Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, point to September 2026 as the target launch window. The iPhone Fold is expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 series as a premium flagship option.
Foxconn is reportedly expected to begin production in Q4 2026 (October), with Apple already stockpiling components for pre-production. However, some reports suggest a potential delay to 2027 if Apple hasn’t finalized key design decisions for components like the hinge.
Price: $2,000 – $2,500
The iPhone Fold won’t be cheap. Analyst estimates range from:
- Ming-Chi Kuo: $2,000 – $2,500
- Mark Gurman (Bloomberg): Similar range
- UBS Analysts: $1,800 – $2,000
- Fubon Research: $2,400
That would make it nearly twice the price of the current iPhone 17 Pro Max. Despite the premium pricing, analysts project 3-5 million units shipped in the first year, ambitious given that only 19.3 million foldables were sold globally in 2024.
Why It Matters
For consumers: The iPhone Fold would represent the biggest iPhone display ever in a pocketable device. The 7.8-inch inner screen approaches iPad mini territory, making it ideal for productivity, media consumption, and gaming.
For the foldable market: Apple’s entry could legitimize foldables for mainstream consumers. Currently, 64% of people surveyed by CNET say they don’t want a foldable phone, but Apple’s influence could change that. IDC forecasts 30% year-over-year growth in foldables if Apple launches one in 2026.
For competitors: Samsung has had a six-year head start in foldables, but Apple’s rumored crease-free display technology could immediately leapfrog the competition. If Apple has truly solved the crease problem, it puts pressure on Samsung, Google, and others to catch up.
Can’t Wait for the iPhone Fold?
If you want a foldable now, here are the best options currently available:
| If You Want… | Get This | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall foldable | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | $1,640 |
| Best for Google/AI fans | Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold | $1,799 |
| Compact clamshell design | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 | $1,019 |
| Budget clamshell | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE | $640 |
Latest Updates
January 2026: Reports confirm Apple targeting September 2026 launch, with Foxconn preparing production lines.
December 2025: 3D-printed mockups based on leaked CAD files surface, showing the book-style design with 7.6-inch unfolded display.
November 2025: Reports indicate iPhone Fold will have largest iPhone battery ever (5,400-5,800 mAh) and 24MP under-display camera.
October 2025: Analyst Jeff Pu reports titanium/aluminum hybrid frame design. Some rumors suggest possible delay to 2027.
March 2025: Ming-Chi Kuo confirms book-style design with 7.8-inch crease-free inner display and $2,000-$2,500 price range.
February 2025: Reports emerge that Apple has achieved “nearly invisible” crease through new material properties and liquid metal hinge technology.
FAQ
When is the iPhone Fold coming out?
Current rumors point to September 2026, launching alongside the iPhone 18 series. However, some reports suggest a possible delay to 2027 if Apple hasn’t finalized certain design decisions. Apple has not confirmed anything.
How much will the iPhone Fold cost?
Analysts estimate $2,000 to $2,500, roughly twice the price of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. This is based on analyst projections, not official pricing.
Will it have a crease?
Reports indicate Apple has achieved a virtually crease-free display using new materials and liquid metal hinge technology, a major improvement over current foldables from Samsung and Google. Not yet confirmed.
Is Apple making a flip phone too?
Apple has reportedly tested both clamshell (flip) and book-style designs. Current rumors focus on the book-style launching first, with a potential flip-style device coming later. All speculation at this point.
Will it have Face ID?
Reportedly no. To keep the device thin, Apple is rumored to be using Touch ID in a side button instead of Face ID. Based on analyst reports, not confirmed.
Summary
After years of waiting, Apple’s foldable iPhone appears to finally be on the horizon. The iPhone Fold is shaping up to be a premium device with a rumored crease-free 7.8-inch display, Apple’s most powerful A20 chip, and a price tag to match at $2,000+.
If Apple delivers on the crease-free promise, it could instantly become the best foldable on the market, despite being years behind Samsung. We’ll be updating this article as official details emerge.
Last updated: January 31, 2026. Information based on analyst reports, supply chain rumors, and patent filings, nothing has been officially confirmed by Apple.