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Apple's 2026 Foldable iPhone Rumored to Use Titanium and Aluminum Frame
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I'm more curious to see if they use this as an opportunity to bring back the iBook brand 😉
Would be more interested in a bigger camera system. Could use 3x1" type sensors.
I so agree. I picked up a Z Fold and holy OMG. I mean, it's smaller than my 17 Pro Max, has a wicked screen, so functional... If it had iMessage/Photos/iCloud, I would not be on an iPhone right now...
If you actually go and hold one up next to an iPhone, it feels like Apple is stifling innovation. Crazy. IMO the iPhone Air could have been half as thin.
A surprising amount of people seem turned off by the idea of an iPhone Fold but for me, this is the first time I’ve been truly excited for a new iPhone since the iPhone X.
The only things I’m feeling somewhat nervous about are the rumors of the smallish 5.5” cover display and only having 2 cameras. As a Pro Max user for several years, those would be downgrades. It will be interesting to see how Apple markets this phone compared to the Pro lineup.
The only things I’m feeling somewhat nervous about are the rumors of the smallish 5.5” cover display and only having 2 cameras. As a Pro Max user for several years, those would be downgrades. It will be interesting to see how Apple markets this phone compared to the Pro lineup.
Indeed to each their own. If I want more screen real estate than my iPhone mini for a particular task, I would switch to using my iPad or laptop.
At the projected thinness, it’s unlikely to sound very good. It’ll be interesting in which direction they’ll make it stereo, if any.
Here’s the thread for you: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/specifically-13-mini-users-who-upgraded-to-ios26.2466546/
Those 5.5” have a very different aspect ratio from current iPhones. The cover screen will be wider than your Pro Max, but only about three quarters of its height.
I’m excited for this especially if they’ve solved the ugly crease issue and you can use it like an iPad. That would be fantastic value.
My dream iphone ipad hybrid !! I wish it were released earlier and had it now.
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone will have a frame that's made from a mix of titanium and aluminum, analyst Jeff Pu said today in a note shared with investors.
Pu suggested that Apple will expand its use of titanium, with the material set to be used in both the 2026 iPhone Fold and iPhone Air models. This isn't the first time a mixed metal chassis has been rumored for the foldable iPhone, because Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said earlier this year that Apple will use multiple materials.
While Pu says Apple is going to use titanium and aluminum, Kuo said that Apple will use titanium and stainless steel. He suggested that the foldable iPhone's hinge will be made from stainless steel and titanium, with the device's frame set to be made from titanium. Kuo also believes some hinge components will be made from Liquidmetal for further durability.
The foldable iPhone is rumored to be as thin as 4.5mm when opened up, which would make it even thinner than the iPhone Air. It would need the strength of a titanium frame to prevent bending issues. Apple gave the iPhone Air a titanium frame, and that proved to be a good decision because multiple bend tests show that the titanium Apple used for the iPhone Air is resistant to bending.
Kuo did not mention aluminum as a potential material for the foldable iPhone. Pu's wording isn't entirely clear on how Apple will use the two materials, but he's either suggesting that Apple plans to use a titanium and aluminum hybrid compound for the device's frame, or saying Apple will use titanium in some areas and aluminum in other areas.
Small amounts of aluminum are often used in titanium alloys, and the two metals can be combined in higher proportions as well. Since titanium is heavier than aluminum, Apple might also be planning to use titanium for the stress bearing parts of the frame and aluminum elsewhere to cut weight.
Apple's foldable iPhone is expected to be part of the iPhone 18 lineup, launching in September 2026. Rumors suggest that the display will be around 5.5 inches in size when closed, unfolding to approximately 7.8 inches when opened up.
More information about the foldable iPhone can be found in our guide.
Article Link: Apple's 2026 Foldable iPhone Rumored to Use Titanium and Aluminum Frame
Initially I scoffed at the thought of a foldable phone.
Then a colleague at work brought in his. Like so many other products, until I tried it I really had no way to form an opinion based on experience.
Today I'm a few months into enjoying my Samsung Z Fold7. Already familiar with Android as my second work phone (my primary: iPhone 16 Pro Max) the transition to folding phone was quite an enjoyable eye opener.
How that relates to Apple is now I'm all in on the form factor and look forward to what Apple brings to the table.
Then a colleague at work brought in his. Like so many other products, until I tried it I really had no way to form an opinion based on experience.
Today I'm a few months into enjoying my Samsung Z Fold7. Already familiar with Android as my second work phone (my primary: iPhone 16 Pro Max) the transition to folding phone was quite an enjoyable eye opener.
How that relates to Apple is now I'm all in on the form factor and look forward to what Apple brings to the table.
I hate the rumored compromises of no FaceID and no telephoto lens. I understand that the size makes it difficult, but if I’m paying $2K, I want the best of every feature.
I felt this exact same way till I bought my Samsung Z Fold7. Especially considering I really enjoy my iPad mini 7.
But like so many other thoughts I’ve had prior to actually owning a new piece of tech, I find both of them fill different needs.
Going forward I continue to enjoy them both.