iPhone Fold: Leak reveals technology, camera and hinge

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The foldable iPhone is getting closer. A recent leak provides unusually concrete information about the first iPhone Fold and offers a detailed insight into Apple's design, technology, and strategic decisions. The source is considered reliable in the industry and has made several accurate predictions about iPhones in the past. The new information paints a picture of a device in which Apple is focusing on slimness, stability, and sophisticated solutions.

Apple traditionally enters new product categories late, but with a clear focus on everyday usability and durability. This pattern is also evident with the iPhone Fold. Instead of cramming in as many new technologies as possible, Apple seems to be setting priorities and deliberately foregoing certain features to create a thin and robust device. The leak makes clear which compromises Apple is making and why.

Wide folding format and reduced housing

According to Digital Chat Station, Apple is working on a wide-folding smartphone. The iPhone Fold is said to open horizontally like a book and offer a large inner display when open. Unlike slim foldable phones, the focus here is clearly on productivity and media consumption.

A key development goal is a slim profile. To achieve this, Apple has reportedly made several fundamental design decisions, according to a leak. Each of these serves to reduce the internal space required and make the device slimmer overall.

Touch ID instead of Face ID

Perhaps the most striking decision concerns biometric unlocking. Apple is reportedly foregoing Face ID on the iPhone Fold and instead using a side-mounted Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

The reason for this is technical. Both the 3D hardware required for Face ID and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display would take up more interior space. This would have jeopardized the desired slim design. Touch ID in the side button is considered a space-saving and proven solution in this context.

Hinge with a focus on stability

The hinge also plays a particularly important role in the iPhone Fold. The leak describes the hinge design as very stable and constructed to high standards. While specific technical details are not mentioned, the statement aligns with Apple's reputation for meticulously developing mechanical components.

In the industry, hinges and visible display creases are considered the biggest weaknesses of many foldable devices. Apple is therefore said to be placing great emphasis on durability, long-term reliability, and a crease that is as unobtrusive as possible. The hinge is likely to be one of the key differentiating features of the iPhone Fold.

Large internal display with under-panel camera

The current technical prototype is said to feature a 7.58-inch internal display. According to the leak, this display is equipped with an under-panel camera, often referred to as UPC. In this case, the front camera is located beneath the display layer and is invisible during normal operation.

The advantage of this technology lies in a completely closed display surface without a notch or visible cutout. This is a particularly important factor for the user experience on a large display designed for multitasking.

External display with punch-hole and HIAA design

According to the source, Apple is planning a 5.25-inch panel for the outer display. This will feature a classic punch-hole camera. The cutout will be implemented using a so-called HIAA design, which minimizes the inactive screen area around the camera hole.

It remains unclear what role the Dynamic Island might play in the iPhone Fold. The leak provides no information on this, neither for the inner nor the outer display.

Dual 48-megapixel camera with large sensors

The iPhone Fold is expected to feature a dual-camera system on the back, with two 48-megapixel sensors. Crucially, the mention of a large base suggests that the sensors are physically larger than the resolution alone would indicate.

Larger sensors generally allow for better light capture and therefore higher image quality, especially in low light conditions. Apple would thus be using a powerful camera system despite the slim design.

Classification within the foldable market

Digital Chat Station anticipates that the foldable smartphone market will gain momentum next year. After a period of slower growth and relatively minor advancements, more significant design changes could follow.

In this context, it's also mentioned that Samsung is testing a new widescreen foldable phone. The iPhone Fold would therefore not appear in isolation, but rather within a market that is currently undergoing a transformation.

Credibility of the source

The leak gains further credibility due to Digital Chat Station's previous track record of accurate predictions. In the past, the informant has correctly identified details such as the overall design of the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro, camera specifications, display sizes, narrower bezels, ProMotion on the iPhone 17, the smaller 48-megapixel sensor of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, and the display panel design of the iPhone 12.

This history makes it likely that the current information about the iPhone Fold is also based on real prototypes or internal tests.

The iPhone Fold focuses on clear priorities instead of compromises

The leak reveals the iPhone Fold as a well-thought-out and clearly prioritized device. Apple is apparently focusing on a wide folding format, an exceptionally thin casing, a robust hinge, and advanced display technology. At the same time, features like Face ID are being deliberately omitted to save space and reduce the overall thickness. The camera also strongly suggests high quality despite its compact design. While this is still early information, the overall picture demonstrates how seriously Apple is taking the foldable device concept and what direction the iPhone Fold might take. (Image: Wongphoto / DepositPhotos.com)