Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

[MacRumors]

Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition.

The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That would be a major leap over existing Android foldables, which typically use lower-resolution under-screen cameras of 4 or 8 megapixels. If the leak is accurate, the quality bump suggests Apple has achieved a breakthrough in light transmittance and image clarity that has eluded other manufacturers.

As for the display itself, all the indications suggest Apple has solved "the crease problem" that has plagued most foldable smartphones. Apple is said to have worked intensively on the hinge and display to minimize creasing, and the latest report from Chinese site UDN claims the foldable iPhone will be the first crease-free foldable on the market.

On the battery front, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said the device will use high-density battery cells, and Korean sources indicate Apple is testing capacities in the 5,400–5,800 mAh range, while Chinese leaker Instant Digital has today claimed the final capacity will "definitely" exceed 5,000 mAh. That means it could be the largest battery ever fitted to an iPhone, surpassing even the iPhone 17 Pro Max's 5,088 mAh cell.

For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 packs a 4,400 mAh battery, while the Google Pixel Fold achieves 4,821 mAh. The Honor Magic V5 manages 5,820 mAh using silicon-carbon technology, but the vivo X Fold 5 boasts 6,000 mAh, which is currently the largest in its class.

Multiple sources agree the foldable iPhone will include a 7.8-inch main display when unfolded, a 5.5-inch cover display, and Touch ID rather than Face ID. The device will feature four cameras in total: one front hole-punch camera, the aforementioned under-screen inner camera, and a dual-lens 48-megapixel rear system.

Multiple reports have suggested 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. Apple will allegedly call the device the "iPhone Fold," which is the name the media has already adopted when describing the product.

Article Link: Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

 

[pepsijunky]

Do we even want this for $2.500. Sheesh.

 

[EugW]

I have zero interest in this, not even at US$1800. However a friend of mine will be first in line to buy this, probably even if it's $2500.

 

[Jeremy3292]

I just do not see the use case for this phone especially for $2,000-$2,500. What do you do with it? Just watch videos on a bigger screen?

Of course some people will buy it, but most people can't afford this phone.

 

[michael666]

I'll be saving my money for the Vision Pro Fold.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Lightning Connector 2.0!

 

[mjschabow]

Really then, the only problem is that it's going to be running a version of iOS instead of OneUI which is much more stable software.

 

[Agent007]

industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That would be a major leap over existing Android foldables

...and, presumably, a downgrade compared to a 17 Pro

Apple has solved "the crease problem"

Wow, really?

Apple is said to have worked intensively on the hinge and display to minimize creasing

Ahh...OK, so they've minimized the crease problem.

Touch ID rather than Face ID

$2,500 flagship but we're back to TouchID?

between $2,000 and $2,500 in the United States

UK: 2,699
EU: €3,099
India: 18 months salary + 1 kidney

I wonder if this will be an XBOX One type of reckoning for Apple.

 

[kenta_]

Touch ID, sign me up. Face ID sucks on so many levels.

 

[Biro]

I’m sure the iPhone Fold will be a credible device. I’m also sure Apple has a very good idea of how many they can sell at that price. While the Fold won’t be for me, I’m happy those who want and can use such a device will have it available. And some of its technology is likely to filter down to lower models. Now, if only Apple would offer an iPhone Flip, we’d be talking.

 

[kemal]

It's all about the hinge. Apple may actually have something. And they will charge for it!

 

[alexandr]

I fold.

 

[TroyBoy30]

make the internal display at least 8 inches please

 

[nburwell]

I’m good. If I need a bigger screen, I’ll reach for my iPad. I’m sure people will buy this, but I don’t feel that it will be super popular (I don’t even see a ton of Pixel Folds in the wild).

 

[High IQ Person]

No, Apple did not “solve” the crease problem. Samsung did.

Apple only keeps tabs on the display suppliers and ask for first dibs on whatever they come up with. They don’t do any of the engineering themselves.

 

[SmokyT18]

Every time I use an iPad I have with touchId I miss FaceId so I guess I’ll have to pass on this until they add it with some other year’s iteration.

 

[Bkdodger]

I have to get a nice chuckle out of "Apple looks to have solved the crease problem" lmfao

 

[EugW]

...and, presumably, a downgrade compared to a 17 Pro

Wow, really?

Ahh...OK, so they've minimized the crease problem.

$2,500 flagship but we're back to TouchID?

UK: 2,699
EU: €3,099
India: 18 months salary + 1 kidney

I wonder if this will be an XBOX One type of reckoning for Apple.

Also, only dual rear cameras. I'd kinda be OK with that if it was main plus tele, but most likely it would be main plus ultra-wide.

I actually prefer Touch ID on phones though.

No, Apple did not “solve” the crease problem. Samsung did.

Apple only keeps tabs on the display suppliers and ask for first dibs on whatever they come up with. They don’t do any of the engineering themselves.

This isn't really accurate. Often times this is true, but sometimes it isn't. Apple will work with third party manufacturers to create hardware that suits their needs, but sometimes it means creating bespoke designs with Apple only through partnership. Arguably, one of these would be the Pro Display XDR.

 

[neilw]

It'll be a neat flex to have a (nearly) creaseless foldable but I'm not convinced that the crease on existing folding phones is a big deal. I think other factors are more serious (cost, fragility, etc.)

This type of device is of no interest to me but I think it's smart for Apple to be in this market. If they ever come out with a flip form factor I might take a second look, depending on the price.

 

[dannyyankou]

So that all seems nice, but if it’s anywhere near $2,000, that’s a nonstarter for me. The thing about foldables, in my opinion, is that there’s trade offs when it comes to using it as a standalone phone, and trade offs when it comes to using it as a standalone tablet. For the same price, you can get a separate phone and tablet, and not make compromises with either one.

Now I guess the one thing you’re trading is the convenience and portability. But foldables to me have always come across as trying to solve a problem that doesn’t exist. As Steve has said, don’t start with the technology first and try to make a product to market to people. Start with the customer experience and work backwards.

 

[Nyx1]

No Face ID?

 

[iMac The Knife]

So that all seems nice, but if it’s anywhere near $2,000, that’s a nonstarter for me. The thing about foldables, in my opinion, is that there’s trade offs when it comes to using it as a standalone phone, and trade offs when it comes to using it as a standalone tablet. For the same price, you can get a separate phone and tablet, and not make compromises with either one.

Now I guess the one thing you’re trading is the convenience and portability. But foldables to me have always come across as trying to solve a problem that doesn’t exist. As Steve has said, don’t start with the technology first and try to make a product to market to people. Start with the customer experience and work backwards.

What are these compromises you speak of? While everyone is different, I gave my iPad Mini to my wife after getting my first foldable, the Z Fold 3 and I've never looked back. And, the Z Fold 3 was nothing compared to the Z Fold 7 I own now. Also, have you ever owned a book-style foldable?

 

[klasma]

I'll be saving my money for the Vision Pro Fold.

Folds from a monocle into binoculars!

 

[257Loner]

One of the thorniest issues plaguing foldable phones is how the apps will be redesigned to take advantage of the extra screen real estate. App developers must be willing to optimize their apps for a single product in the iPhone family.

In addition, Dave2D has said that the screen ratio of most foldables' inner screen was a barrier that prevented full-screen experiences from being much bigger than you’d get on a single-screen device.

With app optimization (or lack thereof) and the inner screen’s ratio problem for full-screen experiences, Apple has enormous challenge to overcome to justify to customers that more productivity and enjoyment can be had from a much more expensive device. Sadly, most MacRumors articles I read only mention the “crease” or the “hinge”. While those technical issues are forgivable to many buyers, what is more problematic will be the lack of a unique value proposition for such an expensive device on account of the issues I’ve mentioned.

 

[CocktailHour]

Yes, no surprise the 1st generation is expensive. Every time this happens, people claim it's outrageous and that they'll never buy it. The 3rd generation unit has a good price point, so then they do. People should at least be less predictable.