iPhone Fold 2026: Apple's first foldable smartphone in detail

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Speculation about a foldable iPhone has been rife for years. While manufacturers like Samsung and Huawei have long since launched several generations of foldables, Apple has remained quiet. Now, evidence is mounting that 2026 will be the year Apple will unveil its first foldable device. Several renowned analysts and insiders are providing concrete details that paint a clear picture of the upcoming iPhone Fold.

The iPhone Fold could be Apple's answer to a market so far dominated by competitors. With a book-style design, a nearly crease-free display, robust materials, and powerful cameras, the device is expected to launch directly in the premium segment. There's also fairly reliable information regarding pricing and launch dates.

Book-format design

The iPhone Fold is expected to open like a book, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects a thickness of 9 to 9.5 millimeters when closed and 4.5 to 4.8 millimeters when opened. A leaker on Weibo suggests at least 4.8 millimeters when unfolded.

Displays and resolutions

Apple is using two screens. On the outside, there's a 5.5-inch display with 2,088 x 1,422 pixels, and on the inside, a 7.8-inch screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio and a resolution of 2,713 x 1,920 pixels opens. To avoid the typical crease in the middle, Apple is said to have installed a metal plate that evenly distributes the stress generated during bending.

Materials and hinge

According to Kuo, the iPhone Fold's casing will be made of titanium. Apple combines titanium, stainless steel, and liquid metal for the hinge. This is manufactured using a die-casting process and is intended to ensure high stability, prevent creasing on the screen, and extend the lifespan of the folding mechanism.

Camera equipment

The device is expected to be equipped with four cameras. Two rear cameras, each with 48 megapixels, a punch-hole front camera in the outer display, and an under-display camera in the inner screen are intended to ensure flexible use. This will allow for photography and video recording in both folded and unfolded modes.

Authentication via Touch ID

Instead of Face ID, the iPhone Fold will most likely use a Touch ID sensor in the side button. This saves space inside, allowing Apple to leverage a solution already used in iPad models.

Mobile phone with own modem

Apple has moved away from Qualcomm modems and is using its own C2 modem in the iPhone Fold. This supports mmWave in the US and does not have a SIM card slot. It is used exclusively via eSIM.

Battery technology

To improve battery life, Apple plans to use high-density battery cells. Individual components, such as the display driver, will also operate more efficiently to make room for more battery capacity. The same technology is also expected for the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air.

Colours

Black and white versions are currently being tested. Whether there will be additional colors before market launch is not yet known.

Price in the premium segment

The iPhone Fold will likely be the most expensive iPhone ever. Analysts predict a price between $1,800 and $2,500. Even at the lower end, it would be significantly more expensive than current iPhone models. Despite the high price, strong demand is expected, as many fans already consider the device a potential must-have.

Market launch at the end of 2026

At Foxconn, the iPhone Fold reached the new product introduction (NPI) phase in March. Serial production is scheduled to begin in late third or early fourth quarter of 2025. Analysts like Kuo and Pu expect a market launch in the second half of 2026. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman expects a fall launch, in line with the usual iPhone cadence.

iPhone Fold 2026: Thinner than the iPhone Air and foldable

iPhone Fold: Premium device with signal effect

The iPhone Fold is highly anticipated. The device combines a robust titanium chassis, a large, virtually crease-free display, high-resolution cameras, and modern battery technology. It also features a new authentication solution using Touch ID in the side button and a dedicated Apple modem. Its price is likely to catapult it into the premium segment, but the combination of design, technology, and brand status likely makes it one of the most talked-about smartphones of the coming years. If Apple sticks to its schedule, the iPhone Fold will not only be released in 2026 as a new iPhone model, but will also have a lasting impact on the entire foldable device market. (Image: Shutterstock / guteksk7)