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Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device.

Foldable-iPhone-2023-Feature-Homescreen.jpg

Below, we've collated the key details that have been leaked about Apple's foldable iPhone so far.

Overall Design
Book-Style
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple's foldable iPhone is similar in style to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold, which uses a book-style folding mechanism, rather than the clamshell design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the foldable ‌iPhone‌ to measure between 9 and 9.5 mm when folded, and around 4.5 to 4.8 mm when unfolded. More recently, Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital has said that the foldable iPhone will have a thickness of at least 4.8mm.

Display Sizes
Dual Screens
When folded, users will interact with a 5.5-inch outer display that is similar to a typical iPhone screen, while unfolding it will reveal a larger 7.8-inch iPad-style screen. The inner display is said to be virtually crease-free, thanks to Apple's use of a metal plate that can disperse and control the stress generated by bending the display. These dimensions have been corroborated by two reputable sources. According to one rumor, the inner folding display will have a 4:3 aspect ratio and use a 2,713 x 1,920 resolution, while the outer display will use a 2,088 x 1,422 resolution.

Chassis and Hinge
Durable Materials
The foldable iPhone reportedly has a titanium chassis, with the hinge constructed from a combination of titanium and stainless steel, according to Kuo. Apple is said to be using liquid metal in the hinges to improve durability and help eliminate screen creasing. Liquid metal, manufactured using a die-casting process, has been chosen by Apple to address these two common issues with foldable devices, according to the analyst.

Cameras
Front and Rear
The foldable iPhone is expected to include a dual-lens rear camera, with a front-facing camera for both folded and unfolded states, according to Kuo. Prolific Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station claims that the rear dual lenses will be 48 megapixels each. Other sources have claimed that the inner display features an under-screen camera (USC), while the outer display – in the device's folded state – will have a punch-hole camera.

Authentication
Touch ID
Kuo believes the phone will forgo Face ID authentication, and instead use a Touch ID side button as a means to save precious internal space. Apple has previously integrated Touch ID into the side button of the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini.

Battery Life
High-Density Cells
Apple is putting a heavy focus on improving power efficiency by slimming down key components like the display driver to make room for more battery cells, according to a Korean blog that has leaked accurate details about unreleased products before. The phone will reportedly use high-density battery cells – the same ones that Kuo believes will be used in Apple's upcoming ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air.

Pricing
Premium Segment
Multiple reports suggest the foldable iPhone will be priced between $2,000 and $2,500 in the United States, which could make it the most expensive iPhone ever. More recently, analysts at investment banking firm UBS believe the phone will be between $1,800 and $2,000. Regardless of the price, the foldable is expected to tap into Apple's loyal fanbase, some of whom will view it as a "must-have device" if its quality meets... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: 2026 Foldable iPhone: All the Leaks So Far
 
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I’m one of those who see a fold as a gimmick and a concept that offers too little added value compared to numerous compromises. But even I would find a fold useful compared to a flip. A flip, if anything, is a foldable (or in this case “flippable”) device whose only reason for existing is that it can flip :p
 
In 2007, Apple innovated the business model for selling expensive smartphones by allowing customers to pay off their $499 iPhone in installments along with their monthly cellphone bill. And now high-end smartphones are typically sold for twice that at $1,000.

What is the business model for selling foldable smartphones when they've doubled the price yet again to $2,000?
 
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I hope when Apple eventually release a foldable device, whether that's a phone or a tablet, they do it right. No crease, no ridiculously thick slab when it's folded and most importantly, a reasonable price. Sure they could slap a ridiculous price on it, but they'll just price people out of the market because the cost of everything has doubled if not tripled.

I know there'll be people with disposable income that'll have to have the shiny new Apple foldable, but for the rest us that consider value for money & not status symbols, I hope they price it right so they get the uptake in sales across the board.

Then again, maybe we should avoid the first gen foldable from Apple so they can work out the kinks/bugs/design flaws etc.
 
Ridiculous price.
I predict this phone will 10 years from now be mentioned in the "Failed Apple Gadgets" lineup along with The Apple Power Cube, Round Mouse, Apple eMate, Apple Pippin, Apple Lisa, Apple Portable and soon to be Apple Vision-Pro.
 
But - will it bend?!? :cool:

This just another "me too" product. While a ring with Apple Pay would habe been really amazing - or An Apple Watch that lasts for 8-10 days like the almost identical Garmin version of the AW.
 
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I know there'll be people with disposable income that'll have to have the shiny new Apple foldable, but for the rest us that consider value for money & not status symbols, I hope they price it right so they get the uptake in sales across the board.
That won’t happen till the 3rd generation at least. Selling a status symbols is a lot more profitable than selling good value for money.
 
In 2007, Apple innovated the business model for selling expensive smartphones by allowing customers to pay off their $499 iPhone in installments along with their monthly cellphone bill. And now high-end smartphones are typically sold for twice that at $1,000.

What is the business model for selling foldable smartphones when they've doubled the price yet again to $2,000?
$500 then is more like $775 now, so in real terms $1000 now is more like a third more expensive, not double.
 
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Ridiculous price.
I predict this phone will 10 years from now be mentioned in the "Failed Apple Gadgets" lineup along with The Apple Power Cube, Round Mouse, Apple eMate, Apple Pippin, Apple Lisa, Apple Portable and soon to be Apple Vision-Pro.
Samsung is on their 7th generation of foldables, and is selling 2 million units per year at a similar price point, about 6% of their flagship unit sales. It's a somewhat niche market, but appears to be sustainable, and it will be growing if prices go down in coming years.
 
In 2007, Apple innovated the business model for selling expensive smartphones by allowing customers to pay off their $499 iPhone in installments along with their monthly cellphone bill. And now high-end smartphones are typically sold for twice that at $1,000.

What is the business model for selling foldable smartphones when they've doubled the price yet again to $2,000?
$55/month for 36 months added to your bill.
 
I love how the rumor went from crease free to virtually crease free …. So folks wether it’s a crease or seam it’s going to be there. Don’t worry tho it will be a “feature” whatever it is.
 
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I'm all over it. I love the Samsung Fold and having iOS on a fold is going to make this one of the biggest launches in Apple's history.
There is pent-up demand for an Apple folding phone from those who switched to Android because they wanted to try the fold experience so badly. It will be a good day for those of you who fit that bill, for sure!
 
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It's popular with me. Having enjoyed the form factor of a Z Flip4 I would love to see Apple come out with an equivalent.
I've owned ten foldables to date, one of them being the Z Flip 4, which I was going to use as my backup to the Z Fold 4. I couldn't stand it to be honest. I returned it within a week. I didn't like having to unfold it to basically do anything quickly and accurately. To each their own though. A few friends of mine have Flips, and they love them.
 
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I'll have to wait to see it in person before I can say what I would do. I'm fine with a regular phone but I can see liking the larger display at times too. I have an iPad mini that would be about the same size and like using that.
 
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It'll be great for some. But not for me. It's not something that will improve my quality of life.

My current iPhone (likely soon to be a 17 Air) and my M4 iPad Mini better meets my needs.
 
Is it just me, or does the 5.5-inch front display make this a tough sell? Samsung’s latest Fold 7 has a front screen that’s nearly the size of a standard Pro Max, around 6.5 inches, which makes it feel like a fully usable phone even when it’s closed. For context, the regular iPhone is 6.1 inches, so you’d think that would be the baseline for usability.

I really wanted to be excited about the iPhone Foldable, but with such a small front display, it feels like you'd be forced to unfold it every time you want to do anything. That kind of defeats the convenience, right?
 
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